Why is everyone running so much lately?
By now, you’ve probably noticed the subtle shift in the air, and the not-so-subtle stampede on your street. The early-morning footfalls of neon trainers. The friend who casually mentions their ‘easy 10K before work.’ The endless parade of sweaty selfies, GPS maps, and race medals clogging your social feed.
It’s not your imagination: Everyone is running. But why? And how did running—a sport that once seemed reserved for wiry endurance athletes and Type A marathon junkies suddenly become the world’s favorite hobby?
Blame it on the pandemic (sort of)
The roots of this running renaissance goes back to the pandemic. When gyms shuttered, studios closed, and the world retreated indoors, running was one of the few accessible outlets left. No equipment. No fancy memberships. Just sneakers and the open road, sidewalk, park, or whatever stretch of pavement you could claim as your own.
For many, running became less about cardio and more about control. A way to escape the house, clear their head, or simply move when everything else in life stood still. But here’s the thing: Even after restrictions lifted and life snapped back into its caffeinated hustle, people didn’t stop. If anything, the ranks of runners only grew.
Running’s modern appeal lies in its low barrier to entry. You don’t need to be fast. You don’t need to be lean. You certainly don’t need to be that person in short shorts leading the pack. The only requirement? Show up.
In an age where wellness can often feel exclusive—think boutique fitness classes, pricey athleisure, and complicated gym routines, running is refreshingly democratic. It welcomes everyone: the newbie who can barely jog a block, the stressed-out office worker, the parent squeezing in miles after bedtime, even the self-proclaimed ‘non-runner’ who swore they’d never do this.
Need proof? Scroll through TikTok.
Running goes viral
Welcome to Runnertok, the surprisingly wholesome, strangely addictive corner of TikTok where marathon training, couch-to-5K journeys, and sweaty, vulnerable confessionals reign supreme.
It’s where seasoned marathoners share brutally honest recaps of 42-kilometer slogs through rain and self-doubt. Where beginners film their first wobbly strides and document the messy, magical process of becoming a runner. Where Strava maps double as art and the “If it’s not on Strava, did it even happen?” trend fuels entire TikToks of GPS-drawn hearts, squiggly city routes, and accidental detours.
Suddenly, running doesn’t feel intimidating. It feels human. Achievable. Even fun. You see runners of all shapes, sizes, and paces. You realize you don’t have to be fast or flawless to belong. You just have to start and maybe hit start on your watch while you’re at it.
Marathons are the new bucket list
It doesn’t stop at casual jogs. Major marathons from Tokyo to New York to London are seeing record-breaking demand. Even locally, races are back in full swing, from the NatGeo Earth Day Run to the Manila Marathon, with thousands chasing not just personal bests but also the bragging rights that come with crossing a finish line.
For many, completing a marathon isn’t just about physical endurance, it’s about proving to yourself you can do something hard. That you can commit. That you can show up for the ugly training days and still get to the other side.
And let’s not forget: the finish-line photos, shiny medals, and post-race brunches make for excellent Instagram content.
It’s movement. It’s meditation. It’s an escape
Part of running’s universal pull lies in its deceptive simplicity. It’s not just exercise. It’s an entire reset button for your body and mind, disguised as forward motion. For some, it’s a moving meditation, the steady rhythm of feet hitting pavement, the sound of breath syncing with stride, the singular focus on just one more kilometer. It clears the mental clutter in a way few other activities can.
For others, it’s an escape. A quiet rebellion against screens, stress, and the constant hum of modern life. Out there, on a quiet stretch of road or looping through a park, you’re untethered. You’re away from group chats, meetings, and responsibilities. It’s just you, your thoughts, and the quiet satisfaction of getting from Point A to Point B on your own two feet.
And of course, it’s movement—pure and uncomplicated. In a world where wellness often feels wrapped in trends, apps, and expensive memberships, running is refreshingly stripped down. It reminds you that your body was built for this. That no matter your age, size, or pace, you’re capable of motion. Of momentum. Of more.
And somewhere between the burning lungs, the sore calves, and the unexpected sense of peace, running quietly becomes something else entirely: proof that you can keep going even when it’s hard.
