Why is everyone running? How a simple sport has impacted many lives.

Looking at the reasons behind this mass “running boom” and whether it’s more than just another TikTok trend.

Orginal image by Azanor Todd

It’s 6 am on a Sunday morning, drunkards are returning home from their Saturday antics, however, those who chase a runner's high are warming up for their weekly run club. Running used to be for hunting mammals and survival, but now, 1.9 million years later, we humans run for pleasure and fun.

It's become a global sensation, from running in the polluted streets of the city to running in the crisp countryside fields, everyone is running everywhere, no matter their age, background, or expertise.

In a world which is lonelier than ever, the simple sport which was once used to keep people fit now in 2025 brings 2.6 million people in the UK together every day. Some experts even state that the ‘runner's high’ can improve people’s mental health.

Life after lockdown is not the same, but lacing up and running with one stride at a time has brought a sense of hope to this tech-driven world. The question we want to know is, why now? Why has everyone started running away from their problems (literally)?

This piece will dive into the reasoning behind this 21st-century runner's boom and question if it’s another Gen Z trend or if it's something that can improve people’s lives globally.

Entering a new era of running

The rebrand of running has transformed people's views on the sport. In 2020, when it felt like the world was ending due to the circulation of COVID-19, running became a way to escape being locked in a room with no social interaction, as it was the only outdoor activity that people could do.

The World Athletics states that people run more often than they did after COVID-19, with 20% of people increasing their running frequency.

With the sport being more accessible than ever, it couldn’t be easier to lace up your trainers, wander out the door, and run like your ex is chasing you. Unlike a gym, running requires nothing more than a pair of trainers and can be done wherever in the world.

It was once a chore to run, but now many people see it as the newest dating app, as run clubs are held daily around the country. It allows people to connect but also nurtures the body and mind.

Apps like Strava and Runna have all contributed to new digital initiatives, where influencers have created an online culture of making running trendy.

Personal Journey  

Moving away from running as a trend. The sport has moulded people’s lives in a way that humanity could never imagine. In times of need or desperation, people turn to running to express their emotions and deal with the hurdles life places for them.

Running away from problems within themselves or their lives in search of more prosperous times, freeing their souls, mind, and body, united in unison, but also separated at the same time.

Photographed by Azanor Todd

Nina, a 21-year-old student from Cambridge, first discovered the beauty of running at a young age. But at 16, COVID-19 wiped out all sports clubs and destroyed the social aspect of running. Nina had her passion ripped away from her, causing her to fall out of love with the sport.

Now, Nina has the opportunity to inspire many by running the 2025 London Marathon, to take back the years she lost and re-ignite the fire within her and many, many others.

“The opportunity came up at work and I knew it was notoriously difficult to get a place in the London marathon,” she says. “I thought it was a good idea to take the opportunity when I could.”

Once she found out that she was going to run the London Marathon, Nina realised that her past talent and passion were now going to be one of the biggest challenges that she had ever faced.

“I was training for 7 months for the marathon and could barely run a 5k when I started”, she says. “Running has taught me discipline and organisation and that anything is possible when you put your mind to it!”

Just like Nina, thousands of brave and determined people took part in the treacherous miles of the London marathon, making her story far from unique. Ambitious people like Nina have transformed running from being a way to keep fit to a movement that is used across the world.

Mental Health Impact

89% of runners using platforms like Strava and Parkrun reported that running regularly made them happier, as stated in a 2018 survey by Glasgow Caledonian University.

Who would have thought that running would bring us happiness?

Running releases endorphins, which are the body's mood boosters and pain relievers. They reduce stress hormones like cortisol and generally make you feel a lot calmer.

Dr Riley, a psychologist who works with many athletes daily as they combat injury, has studied the ‘runner's high’.

“It’s a theory that is true, you feel a boost of happiness after being on a run, which makes people want to continue the activity.”

With depression being at its highest, with 1 in 6 adults in the UK experiencing depression symptoms, an increase from the pre-pandemic world.

Running is now seen to be a way to escape the outside world and is even branded as the new free therapy, which can be accessed wherever, whenever.

The future

Running is popular and will continue to grow with the likes of social media. However, RunTok is not the only thing allowing this sport to continuously grow. It’s the new technology including footwear that can make you faster (some may say), new recovery methods and marketing which promotes the sport.

The future of running is certain, and it’s only going to continue to grow as more and more people join communities and sign up for marathons.

840,000 people signed up for the 2025 London marathon, which is around 300,000 more than the previous years.

 Overview

So, what's the verdict? Significantly, running is not just a trend where influencers wear colourful outfits and put on their brand new Hoka Bondi 9 trainers.

It is an inspirational sport that can inspire millions of people to improve their physical and mental health, but also give people freedom from the busyness of daily life.

“Running is something that you can do anywhere, it allows you to find out things about yourself that you never knew before.” Azanor Todd, 2025

Photographed by Azanor Todd