"Three happiness hormones are released during running"

Everyone seems to be running these days. Where does this massive popularity come from?

Inge Derom: “I dug up an older study from the early 1990s. Back then, marathons were still rare and mostly took place in big cities. The participants were predominantly men in their thirties and forties. The boom in half and full marathons we’re seeing now mainly has to do with the fact that more women are taking part in sporting events. COVID also played a major role. It was one of the few activities you could do without any hassle, and it was easy to fit into your schedule when working from home. Slip on your running shoes during your lunch break, and off you went. That advantage has stuck around, even post-COVID. Let’s put it this way: the initial motivations – setting personal and sporting goals, boosting your health, and reducing stress – have remained the same, but today, thanks in part to working from home, they’ve become more achievable for young and old alike. Hybrid working creates opportunities, including on a sporting level.”

Strikingly, it's especially the long distances – the half and full marathon – that are gaining popularity?

Inge: “The 5 and 10 kilometre runs owe their popularity to the ‘Start to Run’ craze with Evi Gruyaert. Today, it’s still one of the most downloaded sports apps. Organisers still schedule those distances, but they now prefer to focus on the longer ones. Not least for logistical reasons. Organising a city run requires a lot of effort and investment, and those need to pay off.”

To what extent have social media influenced the running boom?

Inge: “If you wanted to run a marathon about ten years ago, you needed to have picked up some know-how. You’d usually be part of a club or some structured setting that provided the necessary information. Now that knowledge is available online to everyone. There are trendy running apps that give you a tailored training plan, and you can share your achievements on Strava and other platforms. People who run today don’t always do so in an athletics club, but more often in a self-made community of neighbours or friends with running experience. Running as an activity has changed, and it’s become much more visible.”

“Running events have become real happenings, with music, food stalls, and cheering crowds...”

What about the commercial market surrounding endurance running? That too seems to have grown proportionally?

Inge: “On the popular podcast De Jogclub, someone mentioned that they used to run in a simple football shorts and T-shirt, but that that's almost unheard of now. I live in the Leuven area, and during the preparations for the European Running Championships, I’ve never seen so many people out running in semi-professional gear: with sports glasses, compression socks, custom-fit running shoes… Is that a bad thing? Not at all. A stylish outfit won’t make a difference to your performance, but proper shoes and the correct use of supplements like energy gels – especially for long-distance runs – absolutely will. It starts with a solid understanding of all that equipment, and if it helps someone run for longer and stay injury-free, I can only welcome that development.”

How does the public respond to these running events? They seem to cheer the participants on in large numbers?

Inge: “You can almost compare it to the atmosphere at the Flemish cycling races. In a survey for the Brussels-Leuven run, it turned out that every participant brought along two to three supporters. Just do the maths. Those visitors – with their leaflets, cheers, and music – really created a fantastic atmosphere. It was a win-win for the city of Leuven too. The event was live-streamed, so the city’s sporty image got a boost as well.”

What is the wider societal impact of these large-scale running events?

Inge: “That more people start running – and some keep at it. Bringing with it all the associated health benefits. And sometimes, even social benefits. Perhaps your network has grown thanks to running? And maybe it’s that very network that keeps you going out for a run together.”

"The key is to build your fitness slowly and sustainably"

What physical impact does endurance running have? Do you need coaching? Movement scientist Joachim D’Hondt: “In principle, it’s something everyone can do.”

Is endurance running for everyone? When should you be cautious?

Joachim: “In principle, it’s something anyone can do. But there are exceptions. For people with underlying heart conditions, it can actually be dangerous. Good guidance is essential. Doctors may also advise against running – and of course, that advice should be followed. For those who’ve never done sport and suddenly want to run a marathon at 40, proper guidance is almost a must.”

"That euphoric feeling during or after a run – something many runners know – is no myth"

Is there a quick way to build fitness?

Joachim: “The key is to build your fitness slowly and sustainably. People who stay injury-free or perform well are usually those who’ve racked up a lot of kilometres over the years, or who have bodies that can handle greater physical strain. Running in moderation and with intention brings far better results across the board. Generally, the focus should be more on consistency – running several times a week rather than doing one very long run every two weeks – than on speed. A large portion of your training should be at relatively low intensity – at a conversational pace – to build a solid base level of fitness. A good tip would be to work with a coach or use certain sports apps that can help you set up a suitable training plan.”

Is running addictive?

Joachim: “It definitely can be. Just think of the well-known runner’s high. While running, three ‘happiness hormones’ are released: endorphins, serotonin and dopamine. That euphoric feeling during or after a run, which many runners talk about, isn’t a myth. Running also has a meditative quality. There are few external stimuli, so you're briefly left entirely to yourself – and that, too, can give you a real mental boost.”

Do you think endurance running will continue to grow?

Joachim: “A marathon used to be a rare feat – now it’s not. These days, we’re already seeing a shift towards ultraruns and trail races. I think that drive for ever more extreme sporting challenges will be with us for a while yet.”