For Runner’s World’s 30th anniversary issue, we asked 1,823 runners to participate in the RW Running Survey 2023. We wanted to uncover all those little details that make runners so unique – from their favourite pair of running shoes to their go-to pre-race fuel.
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We found out what exactly motivates them to lace up and head out the door, plus the most popular time to get out for a run and whether they prefer to run alone or with others. Here’s the data, dissected...
The top reason runners start running isn’t to lose weight, but to improve their fitness. This also happens to be the top reason they continue to run.
2. While most runners start running between the age of 20 and 29 years old, over half of the respondents started running over the age of 30.
3. 85% of runners have participated in a race – with over 70% of respondents taking part in a 10K.
4. Three is the magic number when it comes to how often runners tend to head out for a run each week – and mornings are actually their favourite time to run, especially at the weekend, with 76% of runners heading out early.
5. Most runners tend to clock up between 10 and 19 miles (that’s between 16km and 30km) every week.
6. Covid has had a huge effect on runners – with 31% either starting running during lockdown or increasing their running in comparison to pre-Covid times.
7. 77% of runners experience one or more running-related injuries per year – with knee injuries being cited as the most common.
8. Over half of the runners surveyed bought two or more pairs of running trainers in the past year.
9. With 64% of runners saying they prefer running shoes with more cushioning (in comparison to more minimalist pairs of shoes).
10. A whopping 89% of runners track their runs – either with a running watch, smartwatch or phone – showing runners really are obsessed with their own running stats.
11. Perhaps the least surprising thing on this list... Strava is the favourite running platform for sharing runs.
12. Only a quarter of runners use a training plan when training for a race.
13. An ‘easy run’ is usually considered to be between a 9-9:59 min/mile pace (that’s equivalent to 5:36-6:12 min/km).
14. 72% of runners listen to something – either podcasts, audiobooks or music – when they’re running. And pop is runners’ favourite music genre to plod along to.
15. The London Marathon is right at the top of the marathon bucket list.
16. A runner’s favourite pre-race fuel is a banana.
17. Most runners prefer to run alone than with a group.
18. Ice baths aren’t actually as trendy as we thought – with only 1% saying it’s part of their post-run ritual
19. Runners biggest pet peeve? When other runners run too close.
20. The majority of runners agree that race organisers should implement race cut-off times – and let runners race with headphones.
