When Was Running Invented? The Wildly Interesting History
With the long history of running, it’s not crazy to ask, “When was running invented?”
A quick search on the internet will turn up some promising results. And a few internet memes that will lead you astray from the true answer.
I’ve been a runner since middle school track club. But I honestly didn’t love running until the last decade. I’ve run over ten marathons and find this sport’s history interesting.
Let’s go on a journey together to learn all about the history of running and where it’s led.
The History of Running
The history of running is quite extensive. This history essentially begins at the start of human existence on Earth.
When Was Running Invented?
First and foremost, running wasn’t invented.
Starting with the first humans to exist 2 million years ago, you can bet that they were running before anyone invented it.
It’s an instinct that evolved—the early human bodies needed to be efficient running machines to be successful hunter-gatherers.
The theory of persistence hunting tells us that endurance running has long been an element of the human species. Humans needed to be able to run longer than their prey to be able to eat.
Fast-forward a few thousand years, and running had become part of many cultures.
To answer the question of when running was invented honestly, we look to ancient Greece in 776 BC, and the first recorded Olympic Games.
Ancient Olympic Games
The Ancient Olympic Games in Greece occurred every four years (as the games do now) from 776 BC to AD 393.
The Ancient Olympic Games were essential to Greece and continued for over 1,000 years.
Running was a very prominent sport in these games. Events included an armored run and a sprint to catch a live hare.
There’s no true answer to when running was invented. It’s just a natural human function. However, we can point to ancient Greece to see the first record of running events.
Running Games Older Than the Ancient Olympics?
The legend goes that the Tailteann Games, an Irish tradition, existed hundreds of years before the Olympics began in ancient Greece.
Believed to have begun in 1600 BC, the Irish games included running events. This means the running games of the Tailteann Games were more than 800 years before the events in ancient Greece.
First Modern Olympics Running Games
The Modern Olympic Games era began in the summer of 1896, with 14 nations participating in the competition.
The games were hosted in their historic home of Greece. Several track running games were held, with Greece focusing on winning the marathon.
After all, the first marathon race was created from the ancient Greek legend of a messenger running nearly 25 miles. And spoiler alert: Spyridon Louis of Greece won with more than 7 minutes between his finish and the second-place finisher.
First Woman to Run in the Olympic Games
The 1928 Olympic Games were the first to allow running events for women. The running events included:
👉🏼 100 meters (won by Betty Robinson)
👉🏼 4X100 meter relay (won by a Canadian team)
👉🏼 800 meters (won by Lina Radke)
Betty Robinson and Lina Radke were some of the first official women to be Olympians.
At the time, it was believed women were too weak for the dangerous sport of running. Therefore, women were not permitted to compete in the marathon.
When Was Cross-Country Running Invented?
Cross-country running has become a popular sport amongst high school and college athletes.
This running event is reasonably different than road races such as the marathon. Rather than running on pavement, most cross-country meets take place on grass or dirt courses.
Cross-country running began in the early 19th century.
Not quite what it has become, the event started with runners labeled “hares” and “hounds.” The “hares” started a few minutes early and the “hounds” then followed a paper trail left by the “hares.”
The sport continued to progress through the 19th century. By 1912, cross-country running became an Olympic sport. Following excessive heat at the 1924 Games, the sport was dropped from future Olympics.
When Was the Treadmill Invented?
Civil engineer William Cubitt invented the treadmill in 1818 in England.
This machine was referred to as a treadwheel at the time. Its purpose? A prison rehabilitation tool.
Treadmills weren’t invented with the idea of getting exercise to stay fit and healthy. Instead, they were designed to make prisoners think about their wrongdoings and suffer.
Additionally, these early treadmills were made for milling corn or pumping water. This was a practical purpose beyond their punishing design.
Who Invented Running?
No one person can take credit for inventing running. Early humans ran as part of their daily lives, which has continued into our lives today.
Over time, running became a more organized sport with events, rules, and an Olympic pedigree. But no one invented running.
Auckland Jogger Club
The oldest running club still active today is the Auckland Jogger Club in New Zealand. Founded in 1962 by Arthur Lydiard and led by Colin Kay, this club has provided a platform for recreational runners since its inception.
Auckland Jogger Club provides members with group runs of all distances and levels. They also host events, races, and other activities.
The Auckland Jogger Club has undoubtedly provided an organized platform for running enthusiasts.
Who Was Thomas Running?
Is it true that Thomas Running invented running? No, but he is the focus of an internet joke.
The earliest talk of Thomas Running was posted on Twitter in 2017 by comedian and writer Andrew Nadeau. Nadeau tweeted the following:
The joke was shared around Reddit again in 2020, claiming “running was invented in 1748 when Thomas Running tried walking twice.”
So, more likely than not, Thomas Running wasn’t a real person. And he certainly wasn’t the person who invented running.
The Growing Popularity of Running
The 1970s and 1980s saw the first running boom. Most runners opted to run alone, with some organized running events beginning to pop up.
Before the boom, running outside in a city or neighborhood made onlookers wary. In fact, Senator Strom Thurmond was stopped by a police officer while running in Greenville, SC.
Running was strictly an athlete’s hobby. Perhaps this is when the running jokes saying, “I only run if something’s chasing me,” began.
The second running boom took place in the 1990s through the 2000s. This time, the growth involved more runners choosing to run organized events. From 1990 to 2013, runners completing road races of all distances increased 300%.
I can attest to the inspiration provided by the second running boom. I ran my first half marathon in 2013. By 2023, I had run 12 marathons and 16 half marathons.
Common Race Distances Today
In modern days, there are many distance running events each year.
Short-distance and long-distance races take place around the world. Some races are more serious competitions, while many allow runners of any level to participate.
When Was the 5k Invented?
The 5k is the shortest long-distance race. At just 3.1 miles, the 5k is a favorite for many runners.
The first Olympic 5k race took place in 1912. This was when the games were helped in Stockholm. The race was called the 5,000-meter run, with its distance equivalent to 5 kilometers, or 3.1 miles.
When Was the 10k Invented?
The 10k race distance has never been included in the Olympic games. It’s a less frequent race distance event than the 5k or half marathon and marathon.
Though never an Olympic distance, in 1983 and 1984, the 10-kilometer event was held at the IAAF World Women’s Road Race Championships.
Not as popular as other race distances, the 10k has become well-received in recent years. Oftentimes, a marathon event will include a half marathon, 10k, and 5k options.
When Was the Marathon Invented?
The first recorded marathon was held at the Olympics in 1896 in Athens.
Initially set at 40 kilometers, the marathon-length was extended in the 1908 Olympics. This was by request of Queen Alexandra. The desire was for the start line to be at Windsor Castle with a finish at the royal box in the Olympic stadium.
American Johnny Hayes was the winner of the first 26.2-mile Olympic marathon.
By 1921, the marathon was officially labeled a 26.2-mile or 42.195-kilometer race.
At the 1972 Olympic marathon, American Frank Shorter became the first American to win since Hayes’ 1908 victory. Shorter was two minutes faster than the second-place finisher, with a finish time of 2 hours, 12 minutes, and 19 seconds.
First Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is the most famous in the world. It’s one of six World Marathon Majors and the only race that requires runners to qualify with a previous race time.
The first Boston Marathon, inspired by the Athens Olympic Marathon, occurred on April 19, 1897. The distance was set at 24.5 miles. With a field of 15 runners, just 10 finished the race.
Once the Olympic games solidified the new marathon distance in 1908, the Boston Marathon was changed to 26.2 miles.
In modern times, runners can complete the six World Marathon Majors. These races consist of Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Berlin, and Tokyo. They are some of the best races in the world.
When Was the Half Marathon Invented?
The half marathon distance was first recorded as a racing distance in 1965.
The half marathon is exactly half the distance of the marathon. This puts the race at 13.1 miles or 21.097 kilometers.
The half marathon distance has become one of the most popular long-distance races. This is true for serious runners but also for avid walkers.
When Was the Ultra Marathon Invented?
Ernest Neville of the UK hosted the first recorded ultra race in 1951. The race was known as the London to Brighton and was held until 2005.
The race was held at 52 miles and 694 yards to 55 miles, depending on the year.
Today we recognize an ultra-marathon as any distance further than the marathon. Some ultramarathons are held for time rather than distance.
Why is Running a Popular Sport?
So many elements make running the popular sport it is.
It’s an easy sport to do without needing to gather a team. It doesn’t require any special gear (aside from good shoes and moisture-wicking clothing). And there are no membership fees you need to pay to do it.
Running has a lot of health benefits and can help with weight loss and boost mental health.
This is also a sport that people can do simply as a hobby.
How to Start Running
Whether or not you find the history of running intriguing, it’s a fantastic sport to try.
The following three tips can help you get started:
1. Start with quality gear.
With quality running clothes, including shoes and socks, you’re ready to get started.
These limited requirements make it much easier to get started than other forms of fitness.
2. Be gradual in your ascent to distance running.
To become a serious distance runner, consider working up to the marathon.
This means you must start small and gradually build up your abilities. Gradual increases help to prevent injuries, fatigue, and burnout.
3. Hire a running coach.
A coach can help you create customized training plans for your needs.
While not a requirement for running, a coach can help answer any questions that you come upon during your training. If you’re working your way to the marathon, a coach is an excellent resource for all your marathon training plan needs.
Starting with these simple running tips can help you become a marathoner with the proper training and mindset.
FAQ
No, running was not invented in 1748. This internet joke originated with a tweet by comedian Andrew Nadeau in 2017. Running has been practiced since prehistoric times. During the 19th century, organized races and events began at the Olympic Games.
Running has been part of human life since prehistoric times. However, running was a prominent sport at the Ancient Olympic Games starting in 776 BC. By the modern Olympics in 1896, the marathon was a recorded racing distance.
No one person invented running. It’s been a part of human life since the dawn of man. However, organizations like the Auckland Jogger Club have provided a platform for recreational runners since 1962. Additionally, running was been included in the Olympics since ancient Greek times.
Yes, people ran before running was “invented.” Running is an instinctive activity that’s been part of human life for as long as humans have existed. This means that running was not invented at all.
Final Thoughts: When Was Running Invented?
Running has been around as long as people have. It continues to be an essential part of physical fitness today.
Though it’s difficult to pinpoint when running was “invented,” organized races and events have occurred since the Ancient Olympics. So, while running isn’t a new idea, its popularity as an organized sport continues to grow.
I know that running has completely changed my life. And I know it can change yours!
