Running Boom Sweeps the UK: Record-Breaking Signups, Women and Youth Lead the Charge

With over 1.13 million people applying for the 2026 London Marathon—a new record—the UK is experiencing a nationwide running boom. This April alone, more than 90,000 runners took part in the London and Manchester marathons, setting a new national record for the most miles run in a single day.

The 10K distance has emerged as the most popular, with weekly Parkrun events drawing around 450,000 participants. Running clubs and social races are thriving across the country, with Gen Z and millennials trading nightlife for early-morning runs. Increasingly, young runners are documenting their journeys on platforms like Strava, driving a surge in running culture.

Women are at the forefront of this movement. Prior to 1975, British women were banned from road races longer than 6K. Today, they make up nearly half of London Marathon participants. Founded in 2021, women’s running group These Girls Run promotes “safety, sweat, and sisterhood,” and has rapidly grown via social media. Founder Molly Slater-Davison notes that peer support and online community have been key to helping women regain confidence in sport.

Parkrun’s growth is equally striking. What began with just 13 participants in 2004 now spans the globe, with weekly averages of 450,000 runners. As more beginners join, average finish times have risen from 22 minutes in 2005 to 33 minutes today—a sign, organisers say, of inclusivity and participation triumphing over competition.

Marathons and ultrarunning are no longer niche pursuits either. The number of UK runners completing all six World Marathon Majors rose from 97 in 2015 to 2,023 in 2023. England Athletics reports record-high registrations for races and clubs, calling the grassroots system “stronger than ever.”

City night runs like Friday Night Lights are also surging in popularity among younger runners, marketed as “Britain’s healthiest nightlife.” Organiser Charlie A says more people now seek social, health-conscious alternatives to alcohol and all-nighters.

Sport England reports that, as of November 2024, national sports participation in England has reached an all-time high. Though the number of regular runners remains below the pre-pandemic peak of seven million, it has steadily climbed to 6.5 million—with more of them entering events than ever before.

UK Sports Minister Stephanie Peacock, a London Marathon finisher herself, highlighted the physical, mental, and social benefits of running. British elite runner Phily Bowden added that while running is tough to start, it becomes one of life’s most rewarding habits once embraced.

Fuelled by marathons and community events, running in the UK is no longer a niche hobby—it’s fast becoming a mainstream lifestyle and a new language of connection.