Running is having a moment — and it’s easy to see why. If you’ve been out for a run recently, chances are you weren’t alone. From run clubs and parkruns to community races and social training groups, running has grown from a solo activity into a genuine lifestyle movement.

As both an osteopath and a runner, I’ve watched this shift closely. Running now offers far more than fitness — it provides connection, routine, mental clarity, and a sense of belonging. Beyond the footwear, watches, and race bibs, there’s something deeply human about running that keeps people lacing up before sunrise, in all conditions.

The Joy of Running: More Than Just Exercise

Ask runners why they run, and “fitness” is rarely the whole answer. While running clearly improves cardiovascular health, strength, and endurance, it also simplifies life. For a period of time, everything narrows to rhythm, breathing, and forward motion.

Whether you’re new to running or training for longer distances, there’s a clarity that comes from consistent movement. Running has also become increasingly social. Regular group runs — Tuesday intervals, Saturday long runs, Sunday coffee jogs — provide accountability and motivation, keeping people engaged and consistent.

This running boom isn’t just a trend. It’s a shift toward movement, connection, and shared experience.

The Physical Benefits of Running

Running offers a wide range of physical benefits when applied thoughtfully. Evidence shows that regular running can:

Improve heart and lung function Increase bone density

  Strengthen the glutes, quadriceps, and calves Support healthy weight management

  Reduce the risk of chronic disease

Beyond that, running improves sleep quality, circulation, and overall metabolic health. As an accessible and scalable form of exercise, it remains one of the most effective ways to support long-term physical wellbeing.

From a clinical perspective, I regularly see how beneficial running can be when biomechanics, load management, and recovery are balanced correctly.

The Mental Health Benefits of Running

Running supports mental health as much as physical health. Many runners experience the well- known “runner’s high,” linked to the release of endorphins and endocannabinoids that help reduce stress and improve mood.

Mentally, running can help to:

  Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression Improve focus and mental clarity

  Build confidence and emotional resilience Establish routine and motivation

  Create social connection through running communities

Completing milestones — from the first 5 km to a marathon — reinforces resilience and self- belief.

When You Can’t Run: The Runner’s Dilemma

Being injured during a training block can be incredibly frustrating. For many runners, running is more than exercise — it’s stress relief, social time, and emotional grounding.

As an osteopath who treats common running injuries such as runner’s knee, Achilles tendinopathy, hip pain, and plantar fasciitis, I see how much losing running affects people both physically and mentally. Injury management should never be about simply stopping altogether. The goal is to keep people moving, maintain fitness, and return to running safely.

Most running injuries stem from:

Training load errors

  Biomechanical weaknesses or imbalances

The encouraging reality is that most running injuries are both preventable and treatable with the right guidance.

How to Increase Running Load Safely

Smart progression is key for runners at all levels.

Progress gradually

A general guideline is increasing weekly running load by around 10–15%, allowing tissues time to adapt.

Strength train consistently

Strength training reduces the risk of common running injuries by improving shock absorption. Key areas include the glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings, calves, and core.

Vary pace and terrain

A balanced program includes easy runs, controlled speed work, longer runs, and planned recovery days.

Listen to early warning signs

Pain that worsens during or after running, or lingers into the next day, deserves attention. Early intervention helps runners stay consistent and healthy.

How an Osteopath Supports Runners

Osteopathy focuses on how the body moves and adapts to load. For runners, this may include assessing gait, identifying mobility or strength deficits, guiding rehabilitation, and supporting a safe return to running.

Clinics such as Alpha Sports Medicine work with runners across Melbourne, including those training in Newport and Ascot Vale, to help manage injuries while respecting the demands of the sport.

Final Thoughts

Running continues to grow because it works. It’s accessible, empowering, mentally grounding, and socially enriching. Injuries can happen, but with smart training, strength work, and early support, most runners can continue doing what they love.

Running injury prevention isn’t about avoiding challenge — it’s about building resilience, consistency, and confidence over time.