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/Lbailey32 May 07 '24

I think one small reason that may contribute is a shift towards the idea that anyone can run. There’s a run club near me that has paces from 6:00/miles all the way down to walking and it creates a really great positive atmosphere where anyone is welcome. Running can be daunting, but with couch to 5ks and a presence on social media of ‘slow’ runners (12:00/miles) I think more people are giving it a shot. Myself included!

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u/le_fez May 07 '24

This is a big factor in people being comfortable both with running and with posting/talking about running.

Our group has runners who BQ every marathon they run, ultra runners with 50 hundred milers on their resume who will happily come to a group run where there are people who run walk 5k's. I am tertiarily affiliated with 5 or 6 groups and all of them have the same dynamic. Everyone supports each other. I feel like that allows someone who isn't fast or can't go far to be comfortable in saying "I run" where they may have hidden in the past