The euphoric feeling of accomplishment after a successful run can make the effort worth it. This feeling is one that more and more people have been experiencing as running has become an increasingly popular hobby due to its many benefits.
The first New York City marathon was organized by New York Road Runners in 1970. 127 runners were registered to run, but only 55 finished. Nowadays, marathon running has become increasingly popular, with 55,646 finishers in the recent 2024 New York City marathon. More casual runners who view running as a recreational activity choose to take up the challenge of running a marathon; however, just getting a spot in a marathon is highly competitive.
The term runner does not necessarily refer to someone who is a competitive, professional athlete as it once did. The term has expanded to refer to those who enjoy running and participate in the activity frequently. As running has become an increasingly popular activity, more people are running, but times are not becoming faster. The average marathon time has increased over the years, meaning marathon runners are only getting slower. There is not an increase in the number of talented runners, but an increase in the number of people that take part in the activity. For most people, running has become less of a sport and more of a hobby.
There are a multitude of reasons why people have begun to pick up the hobby, as there are both physical and psychological benefits to running. Running improves overall cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles and burns calories. Most people also view running as a way to manage stress and boost mood.
While you run physically, your mind is also in motion, processing various thoughts. Many people find their minds wandering in different directions as they run. Some use running as a way to meditate, relieve stress, and provide clarity for problems in overwhelming situations. The repetitive motion of running can be both calming and grounding, and the rhythmic nature of running can provide a structure to one’s life.
Jody Kaplan started running in 2021 and said, “I don’t think about much when I run. I think about the music I am listening to. It is important for me to run with music I enjoy because that is really what I am focusing on. Along with the music I am listening to, in the back of my mind, I am dreaming about what I am going to eat when I am finished.”
Lemuel Colon said, “I try to enjoy it. If I am in a good space, I will look at the architecture. I tell myself not to stop running. I am focused on finishing.” Colon also enjoys listening to songs with fast and uplifting beats as he listens to the pace of the music and runs with it. The faster the pace of the song, the more motivated he is to pick up his own running pace, using the rhythm of the music as a driving force to push himself further.
Many runners prefer to listen to music or a podcast while running, but it is very common for runners to run without any distractions as well. Nearly all runners associate running with positive thoughts, and experience a spur of thoughts while running as it can be a freeing and meditative practice that allows people to reflect on their lives.
Olympic athlete Sifan Hassan won medals in the 5,000-meter, 10,000-meter and marathon race in the 2024 Paris Olympics. These back-to-back races occurred within the span of a little more than one week, where she barely had any recovery time. The shortest interval between her races was two days between the 10,000 meter and the marathon. Hassan felt regretful about her previous races while running the marathon, as most runners get drained by running just one of these long, distressing races. Hassan uses a unique scientific approach to her training; she tailors workouts to her cortisol levels as she trains the hardest when her cortisol levels are low to better adapt to stress, improve recovery, and sustain high performances.
The science behind running is particularly interesting as the body undergoes specific processes when running. When running, heart rate will increase, breathing gets heavier, and endorphins are released. Running is not only physical but psychological, as oftentimes it is more of a mental challenge than a physical one. When runners choose to stop their runs, they usually have enough energy to continue; however, they stop because they mentally think they have no energy left. Our brains dictate when we should stop rather than muscle exhaustion. Therefore, running is an exercise for the mind, just as much as it is for the body, because it forces the mind to overcome its doubts.
Running has become a more diverse sport, where people of all races and genders have taken up the hobby. At the beginning of the sport, runners were mostly men; however, in modern times, more and more women have started running. In the 2024 New York City Marathon 55.34% of finishers were men and 44.45% of finishers were women. Although the amount of finishers was not an equal ratio, women are becoming more represented in marathon running.
Girls on the Run is an organization that hosts afterschool programs for young girls. Their mission is to encourage girls to get into running so they can be aware of their minds and bodies and establish beneficial habits for the future. The purpose is also to boost young girls’ confidence and teach them critical life skills and lessons by creating a safe space for them to feel encouraged and empowered.
Running has also become a means of socialization for many people. Similar to the app Instagram, where users share photos and thoughts, runners use an app called Strava where users can share their runs. Strava is an efficient way to track runs with accurate locations, pace and times to be posted for friends to give kudos and comments. Several runners enjoy running in groups, and running groups and clubs have become increasingly popular as they foster a supportive community.
Running used to be a completely free sport requiring only a pair of running shoes and an open space to run. Nowadays, it has become more expensive. Running shoes have become fairly expensive, and most runners have multiple pairs and types. Races also require a payment for participation, and many runners pay for coaching. Fueling the body with the necessary nutrients can also be costly. Although it is easy to participate in the activity without spending too much money, there are so many resources and ways for the sport to get expensive.
Nowadays, professional athletes use specialized running shoes called spikes to maximize their speed; nevertheless, the running shoe has evolved significantly over time. In ancient times, people used to run barefoot, and it wasn’t until the late 1800s that the first shoe designed specifically for running was invented.
Ultimately, the rise of running in modern times redefined the activity, transforming it into more than just a competitive sport but a widely embraced lifestyle. The benefits of running, including physical and mental improvements, are appreciated by many, as running communities have continued to grow and flourish making the activity available to people of all backgrounds. Despite the innovative technologies that have emerged in recent times, running at its core remains an accessible and rewarding form of exercise.
The benefits of running, including physical and mental improvements, are appreciated by many, as running communities have continued to grow and flourish making the activity available to people of all backgrounds. Despite the innovative technologies that have emerged in recent times, running at its core remains an accessible and rewarding form of exercise.