The three most important reasons not to run
The survey reveals that older runners make few excuses; in fact it could easily be said that, for them, injuries are the main reason not to run. This is in great contrast to the younger runners aged between 15 and 34 years.
Reasons not to run: the differences between countries
British runners find it the easiest to come up with an excuse (32%). Above all others, British runners skip their running routine when it’s too dark outside (31%), and their favorite TV program is on (16%).
The ambitious Italian runners skip their running routine less often than the rest. This is because only 12% find it easy to come up with an excuse. The main reason for them not to run is injury (60%), while TV is the least of an excuse (only 8%).
Reflecting their country’s hard-working temperament, German runners, more than others, skip their running routine because they are too busy with work (41%).
Echoing the fact that they are one of the most serious running nations, Spanish runners, more than others, skip their running routine only when they are injured (67%) or when they are too busy with their friends & family (43%).
More than any other country, French runners claim to skip their running routine when it’s bad weather (64%), or when they have no one to run with (11%).
Neither the Dutch nor the Belgians top the other countries on any excuses.
Running in the dark
For women, especially in the northern part of Europe, ‘too dark outside’ is very high on their list of reasons not to run. Which female runners are most afraid of the dark?
‘I don’t run if it’s too dark’
Have you ever considered giving up running?
Roughly half of the runners have, at some point, considered quitting. Some countries, however, are more persistent than others, and men are more determined than their female counterparts.
‘I have considered giving up running…’
‘I considered quitting more than once’
What kept them going?
To get or stay fit, lose weight, or because it just feels good are the three main reasons why people did not quit running. Once again, the reasoning behind their motivation to continue varies greatly between countries. The table below shows which country exceeded the others on any particular reason:
