The European Runner’s Guide

The Ambitious Italian runner
Dubbed as the ‘ambitious runners’, 48% of Italian runners (compared to just 22% in The Netherlands) feel that running is an integral part of their lives, and their enjoyment of the sport is more important to them than the health benefits. A sociable nation, the Italians (with 81%) are the most likely nation to run with someone, and 13% of them belong to a running club. They are highly competitive, hardly ever skip their routine, and hold the second largest share of serious athletes (those who run more than four times a week). Ambition is often accompanied by stress, so it’s no wonder that the Italian runner enjoys the ‘stress-relief’ aspect that running provides, and that for 29% of them (as opposed to 17% of Germans), this was the reason why they took up the sport in the first place. Their determination also however means that a minor ache won’t stop them from running, and as a result, they are more likely to suffer injuries even though they do the most to try and prevent these from happening.

The Sunny French runner
The French are ‘sunny runners’ who, as a nation, enjoy the good things in life. They also approach their running routine with this ‘joie de vivre’ attitude. They mainly run for fun, and only when the weather suits them (64% choose not to run when the weather is bad as opposed to 52% of Italians). They run the least out of all seven European countries (6 times a month compared to 8 for the rest of Europe), and ideally, they choose to take a leisurely run in the countryside. With 43% admitting that running gives them an upbeat feeling, they have no need for music to increase their enjoyment and, contrary to their British counterparts, they are not bothered much about anything while out. With such a relaxed attitude towards the sport, they take very little precautions against injury and yet, surprisingly enough, they also do not suffer from too many. But what they do suffer, they suffer the most as 45% (compared to 20% of Dutch runners) complain of blister problems.

The Hard-working German runner
Reflecting their country’s industrious disposition, German runners are hard-working runners. Aside from the fact that they only run the European average of 7 times a month, they run further than any other European country (an average of 6.4km per run compared to the British distance of 5.1km), and faster (36 minutes in contrast to Britain’s 28 minutes). This dedication to running may be put down to the fact that 60% of them run to lose weight, with an average goal of 6.9kgs (compared to 4.7kg in Britain). They prefer running in the great outdoors (and at 55%, they are the majority who feel this way), and their main thought whilst running is the ‘finish line’. Quitting is not something they will consider, and even a minor ache will not stand in their way. They do not subscribe much to injury prevention and they are in a majority (with 34%) of never taking any precautions. The only really important factor that will cause them to skip running practice is work, with 41% compared to an overall European figure of 34%.

The Persistent British runner
For a nation of runners who enjoy the sport the least (only 17% admitted ‘fun’ as a reason to start, and 25% as a reason to continue), the Persistent British runner’s perseverance is highly admirable. Their sense of duty sets them apart from the rest of Europe, yet it turns out that it is all too easy for them to find an excuse so as not to run. More than any other European country, they cited ‘too dark outside’ (31%), ‘any excuse will do’ (32%), and ‘my favourite TV program is on’ (16%) as reasons to avoid a session. As a nation that does not like the outdoor aspect of running (only 19% like the fact that it is an outdoor sport), it is hardly surprising that they are the highest percentage of runners who run in the gym (34% compared to 4% of French). Gym membership fees aside, they like the fact that it is an affordable sport (45%) and that, for 22% (the highest figure in Europe), it helps take their mind off financial worries. In fact, with 13%, the British are the highest percentage of runners who run more since the beginning of the current credit crunch. Their primary concern for running is to lose weight, on average 4.7kg (compared to the 9.5kg the Dutch runner wishes to lose).

The Passionate Spanish runner
As a zealous and emotional race, the Spanish are very spirited runners who believe that running is an important part of their lives. Passionate about their running, they run, on average, ten times a month, which makes them (together with the Italians) the most faithful running nation. They are easily bothered and irritated by external factors whilst running and, more than any other nation, they get annoyed by verbal insults from other people (18%) and dog faeces (46%). A social nation, they like to run with a companion and they are most likely to be accompanied by a partner on a bike or rollerblades (16%), or their colleagues (12%). Despite the heat of the midday sun, the Spanish run mostly in the afternoon. Family and friends are of utmost importance to the Spanish, and this is reflected in their ‘reasons not to run’ response, with 43% citing the needs of family and friends as grounds to skip a session. More than any other country, the Spanish continue to run on doctor’s orders (11%), and lay blame on wearing the wrong kind of shoes for causes of injury (30%).

The European Belgian runner
Perhaps it is as a result of the country’s geographical location and the fact that the headquarters of the European Union are situated in Belgium that the Belgian runner is a blueprint of the European runner. When all was said and done, the Belgians revealed themselves to be the European average. But they also set an example. They enjoy running the most, are capable of reaching a Zen-like state of mind (with 15% thinking of absolutely nothing at all as opposed to the 10% of passionate Spanish runners), and they strongly believe in the power of music to help them run longer and faster. They consider running as a means to improve their performance in other sports (19%), and are the second highest nation to view it as a way of getting fit and losing weight (65%). Above all, the Belgian runner manages to take from running everything that makes the sport worthwhile, from physical health to mental well-being.

The Down-to-earth Dutch runner
The Dutch are a very ‘young’ running nation. This is not related to age, but to when the sport was taken up. More than one-third of Dutch runners began running less than a year ago (compared to 18% Italians and 22% Spanish), and so perhaps this is a reason why, as a nation, they do not feel it is an important part of their lives (20% compared to 40% Italians and 33% Spanish). They also hold the largest percentage of women starters, with a total of 40% in contrast to Italy’s 23%. This ‘immaturity’ to the sport may be the reason why the Dutch are a little idealistic when it comes to their goals. Eager to get fit and lose weight, the Dutch runner wants to lose, on average, 9.5kgs (in contrast to an overall European average of 6.1kg). Their down-to-earth character as a nation is reflected in their attitudes whilst running, as they are not really bothered by anything contrary to the British and Spanish who tend to worry a lot. Running is a way to enjoy themselves, they do not need music to enhance their run nor do they feel the need to be accompanied by anyone whilst out – unlike the 81% of Italians who enjoy the company of a fellow runner immensely.