When Does Running Invented?
Running isn’t just an activity enjoyed by runners – it has become a huge part of our culture. But exactly who invented the sport of running?
No one knows for sure, but there are a number of stories that are claimed to be the earliest examples of human running. Here they are, along with the story of the first modern race.
The first recorded instances of running are dated to around 10,000BC. The first recorded race of any kind was in 776BC in Ancient Greece. The race, between a single runner and a chariot carrying two horses, was won by the runner.
Running for Humans: History of Running
Running has been around since the dawn of mankind, and it has evolved since its inception. Through the centuries, the sport of running has undergone many changes, both in how it is played and how it is covered by the media.
Running is an ever-evolving sport, and the first recorded instance of anyone pounding the pavement in a more or less practical manner was at the ancient Olympic Games of 885 BC. These ancient Greek history ran in the stadium, but it was smaller and with just one track.
The running events at the Panhellenic Games of 897 BC were longer—over a mile—and included a dramatic 100-yard dash. The Athenian hippodrome was a sand arena, and most track races took place on the streets.
The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians were known to be runners, as is the Greek athlete Pheidippides who ran from the battlefield of Marathon in 995 B.C. to announce the Greek defeat to his commander in Sparta.
And the famous athlete Milo of Croton who ran the distance of a marathon around the city of Croton at only 13 years of age, and lived to the age of 80.
When was running became a sport?
Running began as a form of human movement. The first known humans to run were made to do so by the Sumerians in Mesopotamia, 4,000 years ago.
It was not until the Greek historian Herodotus, that we know of the origins of running as a sport. On his journey to the land of the Lydians, he encountered a people who were already long-distance runners.
Couple of centuries running is one of the oldest sports known to man. It was almost universally practiced by early societies, and it was used as a method of transportation as early as 3000 B.C.
However, it would take thousands of years for the sport of running to evolve from its ancient origins into today’s sport we all know and love.
Famous runners : Rise of celebrity runners
Runners don’t just come in all shapes and sizes, but we are also seeing a gradual shift in the types of runners we see in public and international media. As the sport continues to grow in popularity, more and more of us are starting to see the faces of the sport more often.
The pursuit of running is a long-held dream for many people. However, in today’s society, that dream can seem unattainable.
There are many people, including those who are famous, who put so much work into their running careers that they are reluctant to share their success with the public, fearing they will not get the recognition they deserve.
However, with the rise of the celebrity runner, we are seeing more and more people who are willing to share their experiences, not to mention their success, with the public.
- Thomas Running ( Thomas Hick )
The world’s first celebrity marathon runner, the late Thomas Hicks, was a British runner and actor in the Victorian era. Hicks was born in 1843 and grew up in London.
His father was a physician and Hicks was raised in a wealthy family of four children. Working as an actor, Hicks was famous for his performance in the “Death of the First Assassin” in 1863.
- Frank Shorter
Runners don’t need to be great sprinters to be fast runners. Many are the champions who fell from grace and became legends of the sport for their ability to run far, for endurance and for their strength.
In the 1980s, Frank Shorter was one such runner. His record-breaking 6,000m gold medal at the Munich Olympics in 1972 was his only major championship, but it’s name still rings around the world.
- Steve Prefontaine
Steve Prefontaine was one of the greatest athletes in the world. He was a setter on the University track & field team, but his real passion was running and he was an outside world record holder in the mile, the two mile, and the five-mile race.
He also excelled at the 800m and 1500m distances, and was a state champion at 200m, 400m, and 800m. Winning the gold medal in the 5,000 meters at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
He is considered as one of the toughest runners in the history of track and field. He died at the age of thirty-seven on October 17, 1975.
- Yiannis Kouros
The Olympic silver medal winner Yiannis Kouros is a Greek national who represented the country at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. He also represented Greece at the 2014 European Athletics Championships in Zurich.
Kouros is one of the most accomplished Greek runners to have come out of the country. In fact, he is one of only two athletes to date to have won both the 5,000 and 10,000m gold medals at the European Championships.
Having achieved these stunning feats, there is no doubt that Kouros is one of the most famous runners of all time, making him deserving of a place in the UK running history blog.
Fastest time endurance runners in the history
The UK is known as a nation of runners, we have produced some of the fastest runners to have competed in the Olympics.
Running has been one of the fastest growing sports in the United Kingdom over the last few years with the emergence of the sport in the mainstream media and with running clubs springing up all over the country.
These legends of the track and field include:
- Harry Mahon, who won gold in the 1908 Olympics in the 100m.
- Harold Abrahams, who took silver in Men’s 100m in the 1948 Olympics.
- Derek Ibbotson, who took gold in the 4x400m relay in the 1956 Olympics.
World’s best records of sprinting events
Britain’s track and field fans may recall that in July 2012, the UK set a new national record in the men’s 100m when Usain Bolt ran 9.58 seconds.
Admittedly this appears to be faster than what Bolt did in 2009 and 2010, when he ran 9.69 and 9.74 seconds respectively, but it still got a lot of people talking.
After all, Usain Bolt has broken so many records that it is impossible to know which is the best record he has ever run – in fact, there are even far more records for sprinting than there are for long-distance running.
Usain BOLT is a Jamaican sprinter and champion track and field athlete, who has won eleven Olympic medals, among them three golds, from 1972 to 2016.
His main competitor, while he was competing at the highest level, was fellow Jamaican and world record holder, Yohan Blake.
Running as a symbol of endurance runners
Running is a form of exercise that’s been around for centuries, and although it’s typically associated with long-distance running, many runners also run shorter distances. The history of running as a sport has evolved a lot over the years.
Running started as a means of transportation, and as a means of being fit and healthy. However, the sport of running has become a symbol of endurance, with people all over the world running for different reasons.
Whether it’s to prove their strength, to set a new personal best, or simply because it’s fun.
Running as a competition
You’ve done the hard work of transforming your body into a well-constructed athlete, but the day of your big race is approaching fast. What can you do to prepare your body for the race?
The answer is simple: A smart diet and exercise routine.
Running as a competition is not just about managing your running form, running pace or cross-training into other sports.
It is also about giving your body the mental edge that will propel you to a personal best or see you safely through that next personal best race.
Here are some modern times running competitions:
- Trail runners competitions
Trail running is a growing sport in the UK. It has the potential to be a very popular pastime, so why not get involved?
The sport itself is getting easier to get into and, since it’s so popular, it’s likely to get bigger in the future.
Trail running is now one of the fastest growing sports around, with the nature-based fitness movement drawing in a new generation of trail runners.
- Sprint races
Sprint races are a relatively new addition to the sporting landscape, and have become a popular competition event for running enthusiasts. The idea is relatively simple, but the execution can be very complex.
The format typically sees a number of runners take to the track over a set distance, and a winner is decided at the end of the race.
- Ultra race running events
Ultra running is a bit like a high-intensity training revolution. It’s a sport that’s been around for a while, but only in the last few years has it become a popular thing to do.
People have been running longer and faster for longer than they used to, but ultra running aims to go beyond that. The idea is to run well beyond your normal limits, and to do so in a race.
- Modern marathon runners
Running as a profession
Running is a profession, and it not only involves training, personal development, and competition, but also lifestyle aspects like nutrition, injury prevention, dealing with the social aspects of being a runner, and other aspects that make running a profession.
Modern times running race 20th centuries
- Stadion race events
The event was put on by Stadion Events and was held in the beautiful city of Prague. This event had a nice mixture of the professional runners and the casual runners.
I definitely recommend this event for anyone interested in seeing a beautiful city who likes to run.
- Windsor Castle running events
Windsor Castle is a medieval royal castle in Windsor, Berkshire, England that was built in the 11th century.
Since the castle is open to the public and has a history of hosting a number of fitness events, it is often called “The Running Castle”. It has been a popular venue for running events over the years and has been featured on TV shows.
The castle is a popular venue for running events and it has hosted the Windsor Great Run and the Windsor Half Marathon every year since 2003.
- Coastal plains running events
Running on the beach, across a forest, through the hills, along the lake are just some of the possibilities. These running events are held in the UK and are where you can compete against others.
- White city stadium marathon race
The White City is a massive venue, with a capacity of 25,000, making it one of the biggest and best marathon venues in the UK.
With runners from all over the country, this marathon is a great way to promote the running sport, and we hope that you can help us spread the word.
- Olympic games
The Olympic Games is an international multi-sport event with thousands of competitors from the world over and participation from nearly 200 countries.
Since 1896, the Summer and Winter Games have been held in the same year, making the Olympics a quadrennial contest between summer and winter sports.
Running: Human body health benefits
Running is good for you. It builds strength, muscle tone, and flexibility, and improves muscle coordination making it easier to learn new skills.
It’s been proven to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even dementia.
Running is also good for your mental health. Running releases endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals in the brain. By releasing endorphins, you are temporarily relieved of stress and feel good.
For this reason, you should always wear running tights to help you stay warm and avoid chafing.
Running tights help your muscles contract more efficiently, using less oxygen and burning more calories. Wearing tights during training also helps you avoid muscle cramps.
Engaging activity like running burn body fats
Running is a popular form of exercise for many people. It’s also a good way to burn fat and get fit, and it’s an activity you can do just about anywhere.
Running, like cycling or swimming, is a form of aerobic exercise that makes your body use more oxygen while you’re exercising. And it is good to maintain healthy body temperature.
Recreational activity like running can improve emotional benefits
New research has revealed that mentally stimulating pursuits, such as running, can improve emotional benefits such as healthy lifestyle choices, reduced stress levels and improved memory.
