THE RUNNING REVIVAL
Assignment written for The London School of Journalism
As I stood on the side of the road at the 2024 London Marathon, cheering on participants whilst they undertook one of the most challenging sports, I was inspired. By their determination, dedication and that they had huge smiles on their faces. The London Marathon is one of the most popular in the world, and this year was the largest it has ever been. Over 53,000 people participated, and 578, 000 entered the ballot to run. Most encouragingly, there was a 2% rise in the number of women from the previous year. It’s no secret that there has been a boom in running recently, and especially within the female community, but what has driven this surge in popularity?
Many people began running during the pandemic. It offered people a chance to be outside, you could do it in line with social distancing, and it required no cost, gym or equipment. It was the ideal lockdown fitness solution. Yet people have kept this up post-pandemic. From first-hand experience, I can tell you it’s addictive. Whilst the physical benefits are obvious, mentally it’s unbelievably rewarding. Posing a consistent challenge to yourself, it teaches you that you’re so much stronger than you think. It’s also an activity that brings you into the present moment, meditative almost, doing wonders for your general wellbeing whilst reducing stress and anxiety. Not to forget the infamous ‘runners high,’ thought to be created by the huge release of endorphins and endocannabinoids. Whilst these aspects are beneficial to all, why are women specifically jumping on the running bandwagon?
Throughout history many women have been revolutionary within the running sector. From Bobbi Gibb, the first female runner to complete the Boston Marathon after being told she could not compete because she was a woman, to Turia Pitt, the ultramarathoner caught in a grassfire whilst competing, suffering burns to 65% of her body. After an astounding recovery, she has since competed in the Ironman World Championships. Female athletes within this space have faced incomprehensible challenges, yet have repeatedly proven that they have the tenacity to achieve incredible results. These women are inspiring to the everyday runner, and prove that women are a force to be reckoned with.
A rise of female runners within social media, with relatable and honest content has also been encouraging to women. For example, Hazel Wallace, a doctor and women’s health advocate posts about her running journey, including all the highs and lows. Or Emily Ann Wilcox, who documents her runs with Gossip Girl-esque tongue-in-cheek commentary. Both influencers fall within a larger fitness subculture who also incorporate fashion and lifestyle into their branding. Whilst appealing on a surface level, their core message is female empowerment, and making running approachable for all women.
Furthermore, numerous campaigns have arisen to motivate more women to run. Lululemon’s recent FURTHER initiative, saw a female ultramarathon in which ten women with varying backgrounds, abilities and body types competed. This aimed to showcase how women can achieve incredible results within this niche category. Another, SheRACES, aspires to ensure women have the same opportunities as men. The ambition is for women and mothers to be actively encouraged to take part in races, that races are accessible, and that women are equally valued.
However, I think the most significant reason for the running boom is due to the undeniable sense of community it builds. From running clubs to the ever-popular park runs, not only is it a space for exercise, but also for socialising and meeting like-minded people. Speaking from personal experience, the support and encouragement this community brings has directly benefitted my progress and confidence in the sport, as well as giving me a whole new group of friends. What could be better?
The running revival is clearly multifaceted. Whilst writing this article, the ballot numbers for London 2025 have been revealed, with a staggering record of 840,000 applications. Most significantly, the female applications totalled 49%, bringing us the closest to gender parity for the first time in history. In a sport where women have long been overlooked and undervalued, woman are racing ahead to break records, form fierce competition, and challenge the status quo. What an exciting time to be a female runner.