Latest running articles


Data Analysis: When Is the Best Time To Buy Running Shoes?

Data Analysis: When Is the Best Time To Buy Running Shoes?

We’ve tracked 12 million price points on more than 2000 pairs of running shoes and 5000 trainers over 7 years from +200 retailers to give you the scientific answer to when is the best time to buy.  Most articles say “spring” or “March/April” with the argument that this is when new models are replacing old models so the old models are sold cheaper. We’ll be testing that hypothesis out in this article to see if it holds true (hint: it’s not so simple). Throughout this arti[…]


Runners Find Little Need for Gyms in 2021

Runners Find Little Need for Gyms in 2021

Back in April we surveyed 12,913 people and found that moderate runners (those running just 1-3 times a week) prior to the lockdown were finding more time to run and as a group were logging 55% more runs.  We just completed another survey of 2,712 runners to see what they plan to do in 2021 to hit their fitness goals. This was part of another study we just published on Gym Member trends.  Key Findings 84.78% of runners said that outdoor activities like running and workin[…]


Women Are Better Runners Than Men [2020 Analysis]

Women Are Better Runners Than Men [2020 Analysis]

Faster doesn’t mean better. This analysis covers 2,348,505 marathon results achieved during the 2009-2019 period. The purpose was to analyse differences in pace throughout the marathon between women and men.  The data has shown that women are 18.33% better at keeping an even pace than men. They burn out less in the 2nd half of the marathon.  You are welcome to use material from this analysis as long as you refer to it. For special requests or questions, email Jovana Subi[…]


74 Benefits of Running Backed by Science

74 Benefits of Running Backed by Science

Some 20 - 25 minutes of running can transform your mind, body, and soul. This is not an exaggeration. All these exericise benefits are backed by various scientific studies. When you read about just one or two benefits, it is easy to overlook and continue with your sedentary routine. We wanted to create something more powerful. Something that is hard to ignore. So, we reviewed and compiled hundreds of studies to present the incredible, almost life-changing effects of runn[…]


Is Russian Doping What It Appears To Be?

Is Russian Doping What It Appears To Be?

This analysis covers 29,190 results achieved by 354 Russian athletes, dispersed over 4,691 events, during the 1993-2019 period.  Given the current controversy regarding doping at the Olympic Games, with a specific focus on Russian athletes, we decided to see what the actual numbers have to say. For this purpose, we focused only on athletics (track and field) and analysed the results of Russian athletes who competed at the Summer Olympic Games during the 1993-2019 period.[…]


Exercise is Up 88% During COVID-19 [12,913 Person Study]

Exercise is Up 88% During COVID-19 [12,913 Person Study]

The world is in crisis because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Between government lockdowns, layoffs, furloughs, work from home mandates, school closures, and sports facility shutdowns, we wanted to understand how this virus is affecting the exercise habits of people around the globe.  We surveyed 12,913 participants from 139 countries between March 24th and March 30th to gather data on how Coronavirus has changed their physical activity routines. Surprisingly, people are exer[…]


Who’s faster? The Ultimate State Comparison for Marathons

Who’s faster? The Ultimate State Comparison for Marathons

For this study, we analysed 19.6 million results from over 16 thousand marathon races. We recently published our mega-study on the state of running, where we found that the world, and in particular, the marathoners from the US are getting slower. We became curious to see how the 50 individual states +D.C. are performing. Feel free to use any material from this page, as long as you refer to this original source. We've also created a tool that can help you compare your rac[…]


Which Runners are the Most Obssessed?

Which Runners are the Most Obssessed?

This stats page is a simple look at the participation patterns of runners in the 5 most common distances - 5K, 10K, Half marathon, Marathon and Ultra. In the next tables, we show what % of the runners run 1, 2, 3, etc. or more races in a particular distance, per year, to see which distance has the most insatiable participants that keep coming back for more. We've decided to call this metric Obsession.  Key Findings  Ultrarunning has the most obsessed runners. 41.02% of u[…]


The State of Ultra Running 2020

The State of Ultra Running 2020

In this study, we explore the trends in ultra running over the last 23 years. We have analysed 5,010,730 results from 15,451 ultra running events, making this the largest study ever done on the sport.  Key results Female ultra runners are faster than male ultra runners at distances over 195 miles. The longer the distance the shorter the gender pace gap. In 5Ks men run 17.9% faster than women, at marathon distance the difference is just 11.1%, 100-mile races see the diffe[…]


133 stats on 5K running races in the US

133 stats on 5K running races in the US

The purpose of this page is to provide detailed stats about the 5Ks in the US. Feel free to use this information as long as you link to the original source.  The data for this statistics page is a result of the collaboration between the IAAF and RunRepeat.com. The stats about the 5-kilometre runs has been compiled and presented by Vania Nikolova, Ph.D. in Mathematical analysis.  If you want to read more running statistics and compare your finish time with the rest of you[…]