Sweat, spit, blood, tears. I collapse to the ground in anguish, panting pitifully in my local public park as neighbours and dog-walkers watch on with distress and dismay. I am equally convinced that my legs are going to fall off as I am that, at any impending moment, I’ll be vomiting up the one and a half litres of chocolate protein milk that I chugged just moments ago. I am, of course, training for a marathon.
Marathon running has emerged as the latest fitness trend amongst young adults, both in Ireland and internationally. It seems that if you aren’t already training for a marathon, or at least a half-marathon, then you definitely know someone who is—and won’t shut up about it.
So why are young people turning to distance running? Is it purely for exercise? Validation? Or could it be a symptom of the so-called “quarter-life crisis”, as directionless college graduates desperately seek a somewhat tangible goal in a world that is becoming ever more unaffordable and unattainable?
Undoubtedly, one of the main draws of distance running, particularly for cash-strapped college graduates and young professionals, is its comparatively low cost. As sports club memberships and gym fees become harder for young people to afford, running emerges as a far cheaper, simpler and more practical alternative.
A 2018 Deloitte study found that gym costs in Ireland are an average €45 per month, the highest of any EU country and second highest of all countries surveyed, with only Switzerland being more expensive. Considering the impact of inflation over the past six years, these costs have likely only risen further.
While there’s still a wide array of expensive running gear, gadgets and gizmos that perhaps the more dedicated runner might invest in, theoretically, all you need to get started is a pair of good running shoes, some shorts, and a top you’re willing to let get covered in sweat.
Another reason why so many young people are taking up distance running could be the sense of community that joining a running club can bring. A 2022 McKinsey study of over 25,000 young adults found that Gen Z is less likely to feel connected to others or participate in religious or social organisations, leading to higher levels of loneliness.
Fiona Spotswood, Senior Lecturer and Researcher on Physical Activity at the University of Bristol, suggests that going on a run with someone can foster better connection and enhance communication among young people, particularly those who are socially anxious. “When you go for a run with someone, you’re not making direct eye contact,” she explains. “It’s very levelling… you can open up in a way that feels non-threatening, especially for men who often struggle to form connections.”
“You can open up in a way that feels non-threatening, especially for men who often struggle to form connections.”
As we begin to tackle the anxieties and uncertainties that come with our early twenties and our respective quarter-life crisis, it is only natural to seek out communities where we feel a sense of comfort and belonging. Running groups and clubs can provide such a welcoming and supportive environment, where all are invited to exercise, socialise and have a good time running together.
So is buying a pair of Asics, setting up a Strava account and joining a running club really the key to self-fulfilment in young adulthood? Well, no. Not really. Of course, while running can be an affordable and accessible way of exercising and socialising, it won’t necessarily shield you from a so-called “quarter-life crisis.”
Japanese writer Haruki Murakami explains in his memoir, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running, “When you’re running, there’s no time to dwell on anything else. Your mind is forced to be in the present moment”.
On a personal level, this is the greatest pleasure I derive from running, even if it does sometimes leave me on the verge of getting sick in a public park. Running helps me to silence the noise, quieten the distractions, and focus solely on the path ahead. One foot in front of the other.
“When you’re running, there’s no time to dwell on anything else. Your mind is forced to be in the present moment” – Haruki Murakami
Running, in this sense, is the most affordable therapy you’re likely to find. Jogging at our own pace, oblivious to the outside world, is a subtle act of defiance to the inevitability of change that accompanies young adulthood.
When we run, our focus isn’t on what we’re running from or where we’re running to. Instead, we’re simply immersed in the moment, running for running’s sake. That’s why I run, and it might be why you run as well. Because when our day-to-day lives leave us feeling like we’re running on fumes, it’s empowering to take back control and run at our own pace. To run our own race.
