Increased Popularity of Running, why ?

Rusty Cogs 08

So the Dublin marathon is going to break the 10,000 mark which is pretty impressive when you look at the 'big 5' capping their fields to 25k or so.

The aware 5m and Jingle bells 5k both doubled in numbers between '07 & '08.

On cold dark January nights along Clontarf & Sandymount there are large numbers of people out running (wasn't always the case I can testify).

So why the sudden(ish) increase in Irish running ?

• Since the boom, more money, better quality of life, Irish people are becoming more health conscious ?
• Sport in general is gaining in popularity and running is just more visable ?
• Irelands sport facilities are so inadequate that running is one of the few persuits open to everyone ?
• We're all trying to emulate our Olympian heros ?
• We're simply catching up on the rest of the world's appetite for fitness / (non drinking) recreation ?
• Ireland has a long heritage of runners and we're reaching the top of a cyclical trend ?
• It's all in my imagination ?

louthandproud

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

Since the boom, more money, better quality of life, Irish people are becoming more health conscious ?

Perhaps, also perhaps now that boom is over people are looking for alternatives to paying expensive gym memberships in favor of buying decent running shoes and getting out there and running.

ManFromAtlantis

agreed loudandproud.


anyone that doesnt run............try it for a month and bet you'll be hooked. u feel great.

rovers_runner

Boredom with materialistic lifestyle that is shoved down our throats.
Personal achievements where you always compete against yourself.
You can choose when to run, time/place/terrain

onemorechance

I started at end of summer out of boredom and lack of fitness. I like it because it is free, i.e. no gym charges and someone gave me a pair of asics!

It is good when you can see progress, i.e. I was hardly able to finish one mile at the start and have since been able to do 6 or 7 miles, each at much quicker times than that very first one way back in summer!

RICHIE-RICH

Interesting question, and one which I too have pondered...
In Cork, there is an increasing running "scene" - races which 5 years ago were getting 150-200 runners, are now getting 500-600 every week.
There is a ten miler on in Mallow on Sunday, and in 2005 it had 300 runners, and in 2007 there were over 500. They are expecting over 600 this weekend.

Perhaps the internet is helping. Years ago, if someone wanted to get fit/get into "jogging", they had to go buy a book, or join club, and check notice boards, get flyers for races etc.
Nowadays, anyone can devise a plan from couch to 5k, and then a 18 week program to a marathon. This can be done in minutes.
Also, they can search and find info on their local running scene, again within minutes. Previously, it would have been a case, of "ask yer man with the beard who works with your friend. He's a runner, and should be able to help"

There was also a negative image of runners and getting into running in the past. They were always though of as middle aged bearded men, with ill fitting shorts. That has all changed, and you can see all shapes and sizes at local races, dispelling any myths about elitist/serious racers only.

Krusty_Clown

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

So the Dublin marathon is going to break the 10,000 mark which is pretty impressive when you look at the 'big 5' capping their fields to 25k or so.

Think they're aiming for 15,000 for the 30th anniversary.. I think part of the reason for the running boom is the backlash on obesity in the media. Also, as a society, we are slowly changing our ways from the gluttony and spending spree era of the celtic tiger era, and are looking for alternative healthier activities.

Running Bing

Well its certainly not in your imagination.


I was constantly amazed over the last few months that Id go out in a run in the most foul conditions, freezing cold and/or p1ssing rain, and Id see loads of other runners of all shapes and sizes.


Personally I think people are simply becoming more health conscious and the choice for most (who are too old for sports like football/rugby or dont want to have to commit to something like that) is between the Gym and running.

I think the fact running has the benefit of being able to compete in races (even if it is only against yourself) gives it an edge. Its great to be able to build up to a marathon or beat your PB...gym doesnt offer that in the same way. Running is also a lot more convenient (you can be out running in five minutes).

I also think running has become cool again with famous people like Lance Armstrong doing marathons and personalities like Ussain Bolt within the sport certainly help. I also think the cool gear produced by the likes of Nike and Adidas helps too.:cool:

hawkwing

I think the internet has helped a lot also.All the info you need,chat,advice,buying gear,course maps,event calendars,results,even registrations are there which makes it all very easy to access now.I think the more and more slow people that take part will and is beginning to mushroom as you get a boost from knowing there are lots behind you.Even my very poor first marathon time got me about halfway in the field at 5770th in 4h29m but if i was almost last i would lose a bit of heart. I would not dream of doing raheny etc if i thought i would be a complete straggler.

tunney

Rusty Cogs 08 wrote: »

So the Dublin marathon is going to break the 10,000 mark which is pretty impressive when you look at the 'big 5' capping their fields to 25k or so.

The aware 5m and Jingle bells 5k both doubled in numbers between '07 & '08.

On cold dark January nights along Clontarf & Sandymount there are large numbers of people out running (wasn't always the case I can testify).

So why the sudden(ish) increase in Irish running ?

• Since the boom, more money, better quality of life, Irish people are becoming more health conscious ?
• Sport in general is gaining in popularity and running is just more visable ?
• Irelands sport facilities are so inadequate that running is one of the few persuits open to everyone ?
• We're all trying to emulate our Olympian heros ?
• We're simply catching up on the rest of the world's appetite for fitness / (non drinking) recreation ?
• Ireland has a long heritage of runners and we're reaching the top of a cyclical trend ?
• It's all in my imagination ?

Lets put this in perspective. Its not an increase in running, its still a decreased number of participants for the 80s. Talk to any of the older road runners (you'll recognise them as being the older guys still finishing ahead of you) and they'll tell you some amazing stories or numbers participating and the standard of runners back then. Then look at the times that were being run and you'll realise that they are right.

The numbers running may be going back up to where they were, but the quality isn't.

Running Bing

tunney wrote: »

Lets put this in perspective. Its not an increase in running, its still a decreased number of participants for the 80s. Talk to any of the older road runners (you'll recognise them as being the older guys still finishing ahead of you) and they'll tell you some amazing stories or numbers participating and the standard of runners back then. Then look at the times that were being run and you'll realise that they are right.

The numbers running may be going back up to where they were, but the quality isn't.

In 1988 8,700 people entered the Dublin marathon, John Griffin won with a time of 2:16.02. Last year 11,000 people entered with the winner coming in at 2:11.06. This year the winner will run a similar time and they are expecting close to 15,000 people.


Are average times slower now? Yes, but thats a separate discussion. This thread is about the current surge in running popularity which is clearly evidenced by record numbers of participants in races.

Rusty Cogs 08

tunney wrote: »

Lets put this in perspective. Its not an increase in running, its still a decreased number of participants for the 80s. Talk to any of the older road runners (you'll recognise them as being the older guys still finishing ahead of you) and they'll tell you some amazing stories or numbers participating and the standard of runners back then. Then look at the times that were being run and you'll realise that they are right.

The numbers running may be going back up to where they were, but the quality isn't.

Well I'm talking about a marked increase in running recently, which I believe there has been. As I said, it maybe cyclical which recognises that there was a running boom previously (the 80's). You seem to have taken the point that I'm claiming more people are running now and to a higher standard than ever before, which I'm not. However, the Dublin marathon participation level currently exceeds that of any time in it's history. Whether local races attendance exceeds that of the 80's in number or quality is not known to me, nor is it the thrust of my OP.

shels4ever

tunney wrote: »

Lets put this in perspective. Its not an increase in running, its still a decreased number of participants for the 80s. Talk to any of the older road runners (you'll recognise them as being the older guys still finishing ahead of you) and they'll tell you some amazing stories or numbers participating and the standard of runners back then. Then look at the times that were being run and you'll realise that they are right.

The numbers running may be going back up to where they were, but the quality isn't.

+1 I remember in our area there were lots of Road runners clubs (not AAI (BLE)) in ever area and races in ever small town close to where I grew up. These have all gone since the early/mid 90's. Plus 3 junior clubs have also gone.

Still see the same guys at races now who I used to race back then. Must be in their 50's and still tipping around at sub 6 min mile pace.

ManFromAtlantis

the athenry st stephens day race is a point in case...

growing every year for last 5 years............this year 829 finishers.

yea dub marathon this year could well hit 15,000..................

as for womens mini, thats just mad ted............. way more than that!

MarieC

Definitely the internet is a major player in increasing popularity.

I think the fact that running will always accept you, no matter what age, shape or size you are. Whereas with other sports, you have to be one of the better ones to ever get off the bench. The fact its an individual sport also, there is an amazing feeling of self achievement. I think people who run even once will realise that. That feeling of accomplishment is like a drug, and addiction is instant.

yogidc26

MarieC wrote: »

Definitely the internet is a major player in increasing popularity.

. That feeling of accomplishment is like a drug, and addiction is instant.

I have just start running in the last year and i would say for me it been NOT been stuck in a gym and the drug of running you dont know what its like till you get out there and have run a few k

Bring on tomorrow so i can go on a nice long run

Supercell

As a new runner i have to say the appeal of no fancy equipment, the comparitive simplicity and honesty of running really appeals. I think with the deluge of the interweb and fast paced information overload living, running just brings it back to basics and it feels good too
In a recession any activity that costs little and is fun probably helps too.

Dublinstiofán

FAT

tdlynch

Babybing wrote: »

In 1988 8,700 people entered the Dublin marathon, John Griffin won with a time of 2:16.02. Last year 11,000 people entered with the winner coming in at 2:11.06. This year the winner will run a similar time and they are expecting close to 15,000 people.


Are average times slower now? Yes, but thats a separate discussion. This thread is about the current surge in running popularity which is clearly evidenced by record numbers of participants in races.

I think upwards of 30% of the participants in Dublin 08 came from overseas. Back in the 80s, participation was almost exclusively Irish.

Whatsmore, the population of Ireland has grown from 3.5m back in the early 80s to over 4.25m today.

However, I think it'running is definitely increasingly in popularity in Ireland, but it'll be a while before it matches the craze of the 80s.

I actually think we're only at the start of a new boom in running, for all the reasons outlined above. Can certainly see Dublin growing to 20,000+ by 2010, and wouldn't that be a national statistic to be proud of?

MCOS

a legitimate reason to escape the clutches of the OH

christeb

MCOS wrote: »

a legitimate reason to escape the clutches of the OH

+1

911sc

It's cheap (e.g. €75 for shoes, €40 for shorts & top), there is no cheating (e.g. 26.2miles is 26.2miles), and income/wealth does not dictate how well one is doing.