Whatever the challenges it throws at us, it’s fairly protected to say we’re not quitting operating anytime quickly. However a 2025 operating statistics report lately launched by SportsShoes makes it clear that in case you run lengthy sufficient, you’re sure to cross paths with some bumps. Over two-thirds of runners (70 per cent) reported they’ve had a operating harm, with 73 per cent of males and 66 per cent of girls saying the identical. Based mostly on a survey of three,000 UK adults, the stats level to the commonest methods runners get sidelined, and what you are able to do to keep away from being considered one of them this yr.
What’s most definitely to get you (not at all times huge or drastic)
The report’s most continuously reported points aren’t uncommon, sophisticated circumstances. The research included the on a regular basis troublemakers that almost all of us are aware of, like blisters (14 per cent), plus issues like dehydration (12 per cent) and facet stitches (11 per cent), alongside extra drastic accidents like decrease again ache (13 per cent) and ankle sprains (12 per cent). The smaller issues are sometimes those that runners assume they’ll ignore and push by.
How lengthy do accidents maintain runners out?
The report tracked day off operating and confirmed that when an harm is critical sufficient to power relaxation, it will possibly take weeks. On the longer finish, runners reported being away from operating for roughly eight to 9 weeks on common for points like Morton’s neuroma (9.05 weeks), Achilles tendinopathy (8.92 weeks) and stress fractures (8.22 weeks).
Ignore that “maintain going anyway” reflex
Many runners don’t cease when one thing’s off, and typically that’s not a important difficulty. The report discovered 52 per cent saved operating with facet stitches, 42 per cent saved operating whereas dehydrated and 30 per cent pushed by blisters. However dehydration isn’t one thing to “powerful out”: it’s a security difficulty, and it will possibly flip an extraordinary run into a foul choice quick. Facet stitches and blisters normally gained’t sideline you for weeks, however they’re nonetheless price coping with immediately—decelerate, hydrate, modify and take a break in case you want it—so a minor drawback doesn’t snowball into an even bigger one.
Prevention is vital
Substitute sneakers earlier than they’re utterly cooked. Solely 17 per cent of runners change sneakers at the very least annually, and 83 per cent don’t observe the report’s “yearly or 500–700 km” guideline. When you don’t observe distance, decide a date (birthday, spring, the primary snow, no matter) and make it the shoe check-in.
Know what you’re operating in
The report additionally says 93 per cent of runners haven’t had a gait evaluation, 90 per cent don’t know their pronation kind, and 79 per cent don’t have the suitable sneakers for his or her operating fashion. You don’t have to go over-the-top, however even getting a primary becoming can cease you from making detrimentally inaccurate guesswork.
Why “rebounding” is perhaps your new favorite cross-training exercise
Do one factor that isn’t operating
Practically half of runners add strolling or mountain climbing (47 per cent), however solely 25 per cent do energy coaching and 20 per cent do mobility/stretching. If you wish to get began, strive two quick energy classes per week (hips, calves, ft, core) and some minutes of mobility after simple runs.
When you run at night time, make your self apparent
Practically a 3rd of runners (29 per cent) run within the night, however solely 31 per cent put on a headlamp and solely 39 per cent carry a light-weight of some form. Flip in your headlamp early and put on reflective clothes. It’s one of many best and most impactful “harm prevention” strikes there may be.
