The world of running is experiencing a new boom. Progressively more runners appearing in parks, streets and gyms, a surge in numbers on marathon registration lists (with a total of 494 marathons in Europe alone), and a huge increase in women taking up running in the last year are just some of the signs highlighting what is now known as the ‘second running wave’.
Yet how did this latest boom come about? Why is it that we run?
ASICS decided to find the answer by conducting the biggest runners research ever; and for ASICS, it was research with a difference. Since its launch in 1949, ASICS has become an authority in the field of running thanks to its continuous studies into the behaviour of the runner’s body. To celebrate its 60th birthday this year, which in Japanese culture marks the end of one life cycle and the beginning of another, ASICS realised it was the perfect time to take its expertise and research to another level and become the authority in yet another field – that of the runner’s mind.
In the biggest study of its kind ever, the independent research institute Synovate asked runners to take part in a consumer research survey that would reveal the ‘why?’ behind their actions. More than 3,500 runners across seven European countries took part, and the results recorded are a representation of the 80 million runners in Great Britain, France, Italy, Spain, The Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany.
| ASICS’ ‘Reasons to Run’ research delivers some intriguing results on the diversity between why and how the Hardworking Germans, Sunny French, Ambitious Italians, European Belgians, Persistent British, Down-to-earth Dutch, and Passionate Spanish run. For a quick look at their profiles, click here. |
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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 following sections summarise the results ASICS’ extensive ‘Reasons to Run’ research provided, and each pays particular attention to the fascinating differences between nations.
The following sections summarise the results ASICS’ extensive ‘Reasons to Run’ research provided, and each pays particular attention to the fascinating differences between nations.
- The Belgian runner vs. the European runner
- Reasons to run (for the Belgian runner)
- The mind of the Belgian/European runner
- The body of the Belgian/European runner
- The social side of running
- Sixty years of ASICS
1) Method of research
The study, conducted by the international market research institute Synovate, asked more than 3,500 runners from seven European countries about their running reasons and habits. The survey covered runners aged between 15 to 65 years in the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Spain, and Italy. An average of 500 runners from each country were approached to take part, and their findings are representative of the 80 million runners (who run once a month or more) of all seven countries.
2) Need to know more?
The following pages provide an overview of the results compiled from this extensive ‘Reasons to Run’ survey. But they are just the tip of the iceberg. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, or if one of the facts provided makes you want to know more, then don’t hesitate to contact your local ASICS PR Manager.