by Gemma Delaney

With the world under the tight grip of the pandemic, many UK citizens are finding freedom and emotional solace in one activity: running. A recent multinational study suggests that people are lacing up their running shoes more now than they did before the onset of the pandemic, turning to this form of exercise as a coping strategy amid the COVID-19 crisis.

The Uprising of Running

Approximately 43% of habitual exercisers in the UK have upped the frequency of their exercise routine since the implementation of lockdown measures. Among regular runners in the UK, a whopping 82% credit running with their ability to maintain mental clarity, while about 78% cite running as a source of regaining control amidst the unpredictability of the pandemic.

This surge in running activity is not limited to the UK. Despite most physical sports being halted due to the pandemic, the study, which surveyed 14,000 regular exercisers in 12 countries, found 36% of the global population are exercising more frequently now than before.

Additional data from various fitness-tracking apps affirm this trend, revealing record-breaking increases in both their users and those logging their runs regularly. The UK showed a significant 667% increase in app registration and a 105% rise in monthly active users over the same time last year.

The Emotional Role of Running

The data reveals that, for a majority of people, running offers more than just physical benefits. Of the responders, 67% admit that exercise provides mental resiliency during challenging times, and 82% underlined the crucial role running plays in achieving a clear mind.

“Our findings confirm that a run represents much more than physical exercise, particularly during a crisis. It’s an avenue for individuals to alleviate the stress and psychological drawbacks of this pandemic,” said a leading executive from the company spearheading the study.

Leading mental health researcher gives credence to these findings and emphasizes the power of regular exercise in the prevention and treatment of mental health conditions. He further stresses that the need for physical activity has never been more significant, given its mental health benefits.

Beyond the Pandemic: The Future of Running

Looking at life beyond the crisis, the respondents have expressed their desire to maintain their newly adopted running habits. Nearly 72% of UK runners are determined to continue running as much as they do now, post-pandemic. Moreover, two-thirds of individuals who have incorporated running into their routine during the pandemic intend to stick with it in the future.

An overwhelming 80% of respondents agree that a sense of balance between mind and body is most significant for them now. Many companies in the health and fitness industry are leaning into this pivot towards mental fitness, offering products and services that are designed to enrich the running experience, ensuring mental freedom and promoting injury prevention.

On the occasion of Global Running Day, a fitness company encouraged participants to share their post-run snapshot along with their testimonies on how running has empowered them amid the lockdown, reinforcing the power running holds in fostering a sense of liberation during such trying times.

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