Road running

Road running is the sport of running on a measured course over an established road. This is different from track and field, which takes place on a regular track, and from cross country running, which happens over natural terrain like fields and forests.

These events are usually long-distance races, often ranging from 5 kilometers to 42.2 kilometers for a marathon. They can include many runners or even wheelchair entrants. Since the late 2010s, some road running events have also included Nordic Walking as a separate competition.

Running on the road gives people another way to enjoy running, besides trails, tracks, or treadmills. Road running is just one type of road racing, which also includes road bicycle racing and motor vehicle road racing.

Courses

Road running races often take place on the streets of big cities and towns, but they can be held on any road. The World Athletics group recognizes eleven common distances for road races, such as 5 kilometres (3.1 mi), 10 kilometres (6.2 mi), a half marathon, and a full marathon (42.195 km or 26.2 mi). Some special races have their own unique distances, like the Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City and "City to Surf" in Sydney.

Participation

Most road running events are open to everyone and welcome runners of all skill levels. Big events often have thousands of people running together. Men and women usually run side by side, and beginners can share the course with experienced runners. In some important races, there are separate groups for men and women, and for professional and amateur runners. Some races even let first-time runners compete with club members and top athletes.

This welcoming style has helped road running become very popular. Millions of people worldwide take part in thousands of races each year. In the United States alone, about 18.1 million people signed up for fun road races in 2018.

While top athletes can run about 4–5 minutes per mile, most casual runners finish around 10 minutes per mile. Many people run just for fun, to get fit, or to achieve a personal goal, and many races stay open long enough for people to jog or even walk the whole distance.

Timing

To make sure everyone’s time is recorded correctly in road races, organizers use special electronic timing systems from timing companies. The most common way to do this is with something called radio-frequency identification (RFID). These RFID tags can be put in disposable bibs, attached to shoelaces, or worn as ankle bands. Timing mats at the start and finish lines detect each runner’s chip and automatically record their time.

This method is thought to be the best and most reliable way to track times for many participants.

Benefits

Road running is a fun activity that welcomes everyone, no matter their age or skill level. People all around the world enjoy running on roads either for fun or to compete. Many races group finishers by age, which helps younger or older runners feel proud of their achievements even if they don’t finish as fast as others.

These races also help communities by raising money for important causes. For example, races like Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure support efforts to learn more about breast cancer. Similar events happen in many places, including Germany, Italy, Puerto Rico, and the UK. Running in these events can inspire people to stay active and healthy. Studies show that many Americans choose road running as a way to stay fit.

Running outside on real roads, unlike running on a machine, helps build stronger muscles and bones. Hills and different surfaces make your leg muscles work harder, and the impact can even help make your bones stronger.

Disadvantages

Road running, like all types of running, can sometimes cause wear and tear on the body because of the movements needed to run. One big difference with road running is that runners are often landing on hard surfaces for long periods, which can lead to injuries over time. On average, between 65–80 percent of runners get some kind of injury each year. To help prevent injuries, runners should change their shoes every 300–400 miles (500–650 km), as older shoes don’t protect the feet as well.

Another danger in road running is that cars and other vehicles pass by at high speeds. Runners can stay safer by wearing bright clothes, reflective gear, using a flashlight, and running facing away from traffic when possible.

While running can be an affordable activity, there are some costs. Running shoes need to be replaced every 400–500 miles (650–800 km), and race entry fees for big events like marathons can also add up.

Governing body and international organizations

The international governing body for road racing is World Athletics (formerly IAAF). World Athletics sets standards for competitions, making sure all participants are drug-free and that the equipment used is legal. They also measure each race course to give it a certification rating. Once certified, the course can be used for records or rankings.

National governing bodies work with World Athletics for road races in their country. Many of these races are part of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). In the United States, race organizers and running clubs often belong to the Road Runners Club of America. The USA Track & Field also helps choose representatives for some international competitions. Runners from all over the world take part in top races for cash prizes, including the World Marathon Majors, the Great Run series, and IAAF Road Race Label Events.

Main competitions

Marathon and half marathon events

The main competitions for road running include the World Marathon Cup, World Half Marathon Championships, European Marathon Cup, and European Half Marathon Cup.

Race-walking events

Other important events are the World Race Walking Team Championships and the European Race Walking Cup.