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Why are we all running and where are we going?

As you walk through your local park on a Sunday morning surrounded by other likeminded regulars, a sudden wave of young, fit, vibrant men and women come running towards you. Wearing all the latest running gear - carbon plated running shoes and high-end running sunglasses that seem a bit excessive for a cloudy day, you can't help but stop and wonder “Why are they all running and where are they going?” This phenomenon seems to be happening more regularly than not, with more run clubs popping up all over the country promoting the Sunday run club, which almost always includes a coffee and a pastry afterwards. 

Plastered across every social media channel you see photos of vibrant looking fresh faced runners socialising with one another, and I'm sure a lot of people have asked themselves “Should I start running?” within the last year. If not, I'm sure you have at least encountered this social media phenomenon at least once or know someone that is involved with the running community. Having grown up surrounded by the running community—thanks to parents who regularly tackled hill races and ultramarathons—I can’t help but ask, “Where have all these runners come from?”

Growing up, I spent countless hours at the finish lines of races in all weather, clapping and cheering in support of my parents and other runners completing whatever challenge they had signed up for this month. No matter the distance or difficulty, I would never fail to ask, “Im tired….can we go home now?” once they crossed the finish line, adamant that I hated the sport and I would never take it up. Fast forward ten years, and here I am, with my sights set on completing my first ultramarathon in 2025, something I swore I would never do. So I suppose I must also ask myself the question - Why have I started running? 


This blog will delve into the sharp increase of popularity in running in hopes of finding out whether this is just a trend, or whether people really are starting to enjoy the sport more.

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