The UK's Running Boom

Running in Britain is having another moment.

Parks are filling up on Saturday mornings. Running clubs are becoming social groups in their own right. Major races are attracting extraordinary levels of demand, and running shoes that were once largely confined to specialist shops are now worn everywhere from offices to airports.

The numbers suggest this is more than anecdotal.

The latest Sport England Active Lives data estimates that around 7.1 million adults in England take part in running, athletics or multi-sports, an increase of more than 500,000 in a year.

Running is still some way behind walking and general fitness activities in overall participation, but its recent growth stands out.

So what is behind Britain's renewed enthusiasm for running, and could the boom have further to go?

Sport England Active Lives Adult Survey, November 2024 to November 2025 (England, adults aged 16+); London Marathon Events, May 2026.

More Than Seven Million Adults Are Now Running

Sport England's Active Lives survey provides one of the clearest pictures of participation in physical activity in England.

The latest figures put participation in running, athletics or multi-sports at around 7.1 million adults, up 514,000 on the previous year.

That's particularly notable because running was hit heavily during the disruption caused by the pandemic and the cancellation of organised events. Sport England describes the latest increase as a continuation of that post-pandemic recovery.

It also sits within a wider increase in physical activity. Sport England's November 2024 to November 2025 Active Lives survey found that 64.6% of adults in England, around 30.9 million people, were achieving at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a week.

Running isn't the country's biggest physical activity. Walking for leisure remains far ahead, with around 22.9 million adults in England taking part, while fitness activities attract approximately 15.3 million.

But running's appeal is unusual.

You don't need to book a court, assemble a team or pay a monthly membership fee. For many people, getting started requires little more than a pair of suitable running shoes, some comfortable clothing and somewhere to run.

That accessibility may be one of the reasons running continues to attract new participants.

Running Has Become Social

The image of running as a solitary activity is increasingly outdated.

One of the most noticeable changes has been the rise of social running. Running clubs have existed for generations, but a newer type of club has emerged alongside traditional athletics clubs.

These groups are often informal, highly social and organised through Instagram, WhatsApp, Strava or other online communities. For some participants, the coffee after the run is almost as important as the run itself.

Strava's Year in Sport research highlighted just how quickly group running has grown. The company reported a 59% global increase in running club participation during 2024, and found that making social connections had become the leading motivation for exercising among the people it surveyed.

The trend continued into 2025. Strava's latest Year in Sport report found that the number of running clubs on its platform had grown three and a half times in a year.

This changes the proposition of running considerably.

Going for a run no longer necessarily means putting headphones on and completing five kilometres alone. It can mean meeting 30 people on a Wednesday evening, running together and going for something to eat afterwards.

Running has become exercise, competition and social activity rolled into one.

The Demand for Running Events Is Enormous

Nothing demonstrates the current appetite for running quite like Britain's biggest races.

More than 1.1 million people applied for the ballot for the 2026 London Marathon. A year later, the ballot for the 2027 race broke that record, attracting 1,338,544 applications, more than a million of them from the UK.

That's an extraordinary number for an event covering 26.2 miles. According to the organisers, 35% of UK applicants for 2027 were aged between 18 and 29, and the split between men and women was almost exactly even.

The 2026 race itself was the largest in the event's history, with 59,830 finishers on The Mall.

But the boom isn't restricted to marathon runners.

Five kilometre events, 10Ks, half marathons, trail races and local running events give people achievable targets at virtually every level.

For someone who starts with a Couch to 5K programme, entering a local 5K can provide the first target. That can become a 10K. Then a half marathon. For a smaller proportion, eventually a marathon.

Running therefore has something many fitness activities struggle to replicate. There is always another measurable target.

The Rise of parkrun

It is difficult to discuss Britain's modern running culture without mentioning parkrun.

The idea is remarkably simple. Turn up on Saturday morning and complete a timed five kilometre course.

There is no requirement to be quick. There is no entry fee. Walkers and beginners take part alongside experienced runners.

That has helped make organised running significantly more approachable.

The weekly nature of parkrun also creates something important for participation. Routine.

Rather than entering one race and potentially stopping afterwards, runners have somewhere they can return to every week.

It combines several of the factors behind running's wider growth: accessibility, community, competition and measurable progress.

Running Is Becoming Part of Everyday Culture

There has also been a cultural shift.

Running gear no longer looks particularly unusual away from a running route. Technical trainers, quarter zips, running jackets and performance clothing have crossed into everyday wardrobes.

HOKA is perhaps one of the clearest examples.

The company's oversized running shoes were originally distinctive within performance running, yet models such as the Clifton and Bondi are now commonly worn for walking and everyday use too.

Sportsupply currently lists almost 100 HOKA products, ranging from road running shoes to trail and walking footwear.

The HOKA Clifton 10 provides a good example of how modern running footwear crosses these boundaries.

Designed as a cushioned daily running shoe, its relatively lightweight construction and high level of cushioning also make the Clifton interesting to people looking for comfortable everyday footwear.

At the time of writing, selected HOKA Clifton 10 men's running shoes on Sportsupply were available from £83.99, reduced from £139.99.

The HOKA Bondi 9 occupies the more heavily cushioned end of the brand's range, while shoes such as the Speedgoat have helped HOKA establish itself in trail running.

This crossover between performance and everyday wear means the running shoe market is no longer dependent entirely on people logging dozens of miles every week.

Running Shoes Have Become More Specialised

Walk into a running shop today and the amount of choice can be overwhelming.

There are daily trainers, stability shoes, maximum cushioning shoes, lightweight tempo shoes, trail shoes, waterproof shoes and carbon plated racing shoes.

That has created an interesting problem for new runners. How much shoe do you actually need?

Someone starting with two short runs each week doesn't necessarily need a £200 carbon plated racing shoe. There are plenty of established running shoes considerably below that price.

Sportsupply currently lists the ASICS Gel-Cumulus 28 from £83.99 against an RRP of £139.99, for example.

The ASICS Novablast 5 has also appeared below £100, currently £80.99 against £134.99, while previous generation HOKA models can sometimes fall significantly below their original retail prices.

For runners prepared to shop around rather than simply buying the newest colour or release at full price, there can be substantial savings.

This is something we'll explore separately in our forthcoming guide to how much you should spend on running shoes.

You Don't Need to Spend £150 to Start Running

One potential misconception surrounding the running boom is that starting has become expensive.

It certainly can be. Premium running shoes can exceed £150. GPS watches can cost hundreds of pounds. Race entries, technical clothing, hydration vests and accessories can quickly add up.

But none of those things are prerequisites.

At the time of writing, Sportsupply's catalogue included the ASICS Gel-Pulse 17 running shoe for £59.99 against an RRP of £99.99.

The HOKA Rincon 4 had fallen to £65.99 from £109.99.

The ASICS Gel-Cumulus 27 could be found for £83.99 rather than its £139.99 RRP.

A runner could therefore buy a recognised running shoe without getting particularly close to the £150 mark.

The same applies to clothing. Sportsupply currently carries ASICS running shirts from around £20, running shorts from around £22 and running tights from approximately £25.

A basic running wardrobe doesn't need to be particularly elaborate. The biggest investment should generally be the item between the runner and the ground.

Running Shoes Worth Checking Out

If you're starting out or replacing a worn pair, these established road shoes were all available well below their RRP when this article was researched.

The Running Shoe Market Has Changed

One particularly interesting consequence of the running boom has been the transformation of running footwear.

For years, brands such as ASICS, Nike, adidas, Brooks and New Balance were the familiar names to runners. Now there is considerably more competition for attention.

HOKA has become mainstream. On has grown rapidly. Traditional brands have responded with increasingly specialised ranges.

Even within one manufacturer there can now be dramatically different shoes for different types of runner.

ASICS, for example, offers models including the Gel-Nimbus, Gel-Kayano, Gel-Cumulus, Novablast, GT-2000 and numerous trail options. Sportsupply currently carries more than 300 ASICS products across footwear and clothing.

HOKA offers the Clifton, Bondi, Arahi, Mach, Speedgoat, Mafate and numerous other models across its range of HOKA running shoes.

New Balance combines dedicated running products with footwear that has crossed heavily into lifestyle fashion, and both sides sit within our New Balance trainers range.

That choice is good for consumers, but it also means buying running shoes has become more complicated. The most expensive shoe isn't automatically the best shoe for a particular runner.

Our forthcoming HOKA vs ASICS vs New Balance comparison looks at the differences between three of the biggest choices in more detail. In the meantime, our HOKA vs ASICS guide compares the first two on cushioning, performance, clothing and value.

Running and Walking Are Becoming Closely Connected

Running's growth is happening alongside an even larger walking market.

Around 22.9 million adults in England now take part in walking for leisure, according to Sport England.

There is significant overlap between the footwear used for both activities. Someone walking several miles every day may prioritise many of the same characteristics as a runner: comfort, cushioning, breathability, fit, durability and grip.

This helps explain why running shoes such as the HOKA Clifton and Bondi have developed audiences outside conventional running.

It also raises an interesting question. Do you actually need walking shoes for everyday walking, or can running shoes be better?

We'll look at that separately in our forthcoming guide to the best running shoes for walking.

Price Is Becoming More Important

The huge variety of running shoes has created another trend. Shopping around matters.

A shoe with an RRP of £140 isn't necessarily a £140 shoe throughout its entire life cycle. As new models arrive, previous versions are frequently discounted. Colourways are reduced. Retailers clear remaining sizes. Seasonal promotions create additional differences.

Sportsupply currently lists examples including the HOKA Arahi 8 at £83.99 against a £139.99 RRP and the ASICS Gel-Nimbus 27 TR at £107.99 against £179.99.

Trail runners can see equally significant reductions, with the HOKA Speedgoat 6 GORE-TEX at £95.99 against a £159.99 RRP at the time this article was researched.

That means runners who are flexible about model year and colour can often buy established footwear considerably below RRP.

We'll be collecting some of the strongest options in our forthcoming guide to the best running shoes under £100.

Prices and availability can change, so current prices should always be checked before buying.

HOKA Bondi or Clifton

The increasing popularity of HOKA has also created a new type of search.

People aren't simply asking which brand to buy. They're trying to understand increasingly small differences between models.

Bondi or Clifton is a good example.

Both sit within HOKA's road footwear range and both place a strong emphasis on cushioning, but they aren't identical shoes. Someone prioritising maximum cushioning may arrive at a different choice from someone wanting a lighter everyday running shoe.

Because both have also become popular for walking and everyday use, the comparison extends beyond runners.

We'll break those differences down in our forthcoming HOKA Bondi vs Clifton comparison.

Why Running Keeps Attracting New People

Running benefits from an unusual combination of characteristics.

It can be competitive without requiring an opponent. It can be social without requiring a team. It can be organised without requiring membership. And it can be done almost anywhere.

Someone can chase a sub 20 minute 5K. Someone else can be trying to run continuously for the first time. Another runner might simply want 30 minutes away from their desk.

All three can use the same pavement.

Technology has added another dimension. GPS watches and apps allow recreational runners to track distances, pace, personal records and training consistency in ways that would once have required far more specialist equipment.

The result is an activity with an extremely low barrier to entry but an almost unlimited ceiling for progression.

Britain's Running Boom May Have Further to Go

There are good reasons to be cautious about declaring Britain a permanent nation of runners.

Participation trends change. Not everybody who starts running continues. Cost, injuries, weather, work and family commitments can all interrupt routines.

Sport England's data also covers England rather than the whole of the UK, so its figures should not simply be extrapolated across Britain.

What the latest evidence does show is genuine momentum.

Around 7.1 million adults in England are taking part in running, athletics or multi-sports. Participation has increased by more than half a million in a year. Running clubs have become part of a wider social fitness movement. Demand for major events has reached record levels. And running footwear has moved firmly into mainstream fashion and everyday life.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the current boom is that there isn't one single type of runner driving it.

There are marathon runners and parkrunners. There are social run clubs and solo runners. There are people chasing personal bests and people trying to complete their first kilometre. There are also millions of people walking in footwear originally designed for running.

Running has become less about belonging to a particular sporting group and more about something almost anybody can take part in.

And that might be exactly why so many people are doing it.

Methodology

This article uses participation data from Sport England's Active Lives Adult Survey, covering the period from mid-November 2024 to mid-November 2025 and published in April 2026. The survey covers adults aged 16 and over in England and is based on a large, randomly selected sample of households, with 176,326 respondents in this period.

Running participation figures relate to Sport England's running, athletics or multi-sports category and measure adults taking part at least twice in the previous 28 days. They should not be read as an exact count of people who only run. Sport England's figures cover England only, not Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

Information on running club trends comes from Strava's Year in Sport research for 2024 and 2025. Strava's figures describe activity among its global community and accompanying survey research and should not be treated as a measurement of the UK population.

London Marathon ballot and finisher figures come from the event organiser, London Marathon Events.

Product availability and prices were checked on Sportsupply on 29 September 2026. Retail prices, discounts, sizes and availability can change.

Sources

• Sport England, Active Lives Adult Survey November 2024-25 Report (April 2026)
• Sport England, England is getting more active but not everyone is benefiting (April 2026)
• Sport England, Active Lives Online
• Strava, Year in Sport 2024 (December 2024)
• Strava, Year in Sport 2025 (December 2025)
• London Marathon Events, Record 1.33 million people apply for 2027 TCS London Marathon (May 2026)
• Sportsupply product and collection data (September 2026)