The world of running is crazy, and we mean crazy. That’s probably because the scope is just so wide. From watching who’ll be crowned the fastest human at the Olympic 100m to multi-day ultramarathons across inhospitable deserts, running through cobbled streets chased by bulls to lining up beneath iconic skyscrapers with 40,000 other runners, the world of running is full of passion, niches, preferences and total madness. That’s what makes it such an epic way of life.
And to prove just how epic and diverse it is, we’re going to take you on a wild ride through the world of running like you've never seen before. That’s right. After weeks trawling the internet, attending pub quizzes and listening to our mad Uncle Bob recite stories that definitely aren’t his, we're ready to unleash a torrent of mind-blowing, heart-pounding, and the craziest facts about running ever compiled (possibly).
From death-defying races to jaw-dropping records and everything in between, get ready to have your pulse racing and your jaw dropping as we delve into the extraordinary realm of running facts. So buckle up, because the incredible feats accomplished by runners around the globe will leave you in total awe. The question is: which is your favorite fact?
Dean Karnazes, an ultramarathon runner, once ran 50 marathons in 50 consecutive days in all 50 states of the USA.
The "Run for Your Lives" event combines running with a zombie apocalypse-themed obstacle course.
In the 1904 Olympic marathon, Thomas Hicks was given a mixture of brandy and strychnine (a poisonous substance) to help him finish the race.
The treadmill was originally invented as a form of punishment for prisoners in the early 19th century.
Each step you run involves you moving over 200 muscles.
Humans can outrun almost every animal in the world over long distances. The ones that have us are cats, rabbits and kangaroos.
The fastest mile ever recorded by a human is 3 minutes and 43.13 seconds, set by Hicham El Guerrouj in 1999.
The Badwater Ultramarathon, held in Death Valley, USA, is known as the world's toughest foot race, with scorching temperatures reaching up to 55°C (131°F).
The "Beer Belly Run" in Belgium requires participants to run while carrying a crate of beer on their belly.
The Barkley Marathons, held in Tennessee, USA, is considered one of the toughest ultramarathons, with a completion rate of less than 2%.
The human body can produce up to 2.5 liters of sweat per hour while running.
The average person will run approximately 42,000 kilometers (26,000 miles) during their lifetime (but we think you're above average).
The average person's running stride is about 1.5 times their height.
Global running participation has jumped ~57% in 10 years.
The sole of the first Nike waffle trainers was made with a waffle iron.
The Marathon des Sables in Morocco is a self-sufficiency ultramarathon where participants must carry all their food, clothing, and supplies for the duration of the race.
The Tarahumara tribe in Mexico, known for their long-distance running ability, run for hundreds of miles without rest.
In 1967, Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon, despite attempts to remove her from the race.
The oldest marathon finisher was Fauja Singh, nicknamed the Turbaned Tornado, completed a marathon in toronto at the age of 100 in 2011.
Usain Bolt, the fastest man in the world, once stated that he ate 1,000 chicken nuggets during the Beijing Olympics.