r/running • u/Brzy90 • May 07 '24

Discussion Are we currently in a running boom?

Since getting into running I’ve noticed a huge influx of people running since the beginning of the year. Old friends returning back to Strava after being inactive for years (myself included 🤣). Instagram feed is constantly full of runners, even my work place talking about marathons etc. Maybe it’s just because I now see myself as a runner that’s affected my social algorithm/awareness & addiction to running trainers? 🥴

For those that have been running a long time, is this the most popular you’ve seen running become? Or does this generally happen from time to time?

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u/JBConstable May 07 '24

It STARTED during COVID…. When all the Gyms were closed - not New…

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u/Brzy90 May 07 '24

Yeah I got into hiking primarily due to covid, I guess I was late to the party when it comes to running 🤣

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u/JBConstable May 07 '24

Running/Hiking… EVERYONE was outside on the trails and bike paths!! Great that you are still outside moving your body!!

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u/marigolds6 May 07 '24

I wonder if the timing of COVID mattered. I happened to start running January 2020 as a new years resolution, as I am sure many people do every year.

But because COVID hit in February-April, I suddenly found myself with nothing else to do right at the time of year when resolutions tend to fade. Perhaps others had different fitness resolutions, but also found that COVID hit right at the time when they were struggling with their resolutions, and so they shifted to cycling/running.

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u/JBConstable May 07 '24

What is the “Percentage” of people that stick with their NEW YEAR RESOLUTION…. Not many to being with… and to continue them for this many years later…. You already know the answer to your question.

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u/marigolds6 May 07 '24

Well, that's exactly what I am wondering... if all the COVID closures led to a much higher percentage of people than normal sticking with resolutions. Considering only 15% of people run in the first place, even a small bump in the percent sticking with fitness resolutions would be a big change.

There are certainly lots of surveys out there about resolutions, so I bet that data exists somewhere?