Road running is the sport of running on a measured course over an established road . This differs from track and field on a regular track and cross country running over natural terrain.
31-561: The Great Ireland Run is an annual 10-kilometre road running competition which is held in Phoenix Park , Dublin, Ireland in mid-April. It is part of the Great Run series of athletics competitions. It is sponsored by SPAR and features both an elite race and a popular race. The 10 km race course begins at Chesterfield Avenue and loops around in a clock-wise circuit to finish on Furze Road. A 2.5 km fun run for 8–15-year-old runners
62-487: A headlight, and running on the side of the road opposite traffic. Although running can seem like a very cheap activity that anyone can partake in, there are some expenses. Replacing running shoes every 400–500 miles (650–800 km) costs money. Also, road race entry fees can be expensive because they have to cover the costs incurred by the race organizer. The entry fee for some big city marathons can be 150 to 300 dollars. The international governing body for road racing
93-497: Is World Athletics (formerly IAAF). World Athletics aims to set the standards for competitions by ensuring that all participants are drug-free and that all equipment used is legal. World Athletics measures each race course to give it an World Athletics certification rating. Once a race course is certified, the course can be counted for different records or rankings. National governing bodies which are affiliated to World Athletics are responsible for road races held in their country. Of
124-668: Is 7.1 miles (11.4 km); the Manchester Road Race in Manchester, Connecticut is 4.75 miles (7.64 km); " City to Surf " in Sydney , Australia is 14 kilometres (8.7 mi); Honolulu's " Great Aloha Run " is 8.15 miles (13.12 km); the " King Island Imperial 20" is 32 kilometres (20 mi) long; and the " Charleston Distance Run " in Charleston, West Virginia is 15 miles (24 km). Most road running events are open to
155-687: Is also featured on the programme of events. Over 11,000 people took part in the day's events in 2010. The elite races in 2010 also doubled up as the Irish 10K Championships. Past participants have included former marathon world record holder Paul Tergat , and World Championship medalist Craig Mottram , as well as some of Ireland's foremost athletes such as 1995 World Champion Sonia O'Sullivan and cross country specialist Catherina McKiernan . The course record holders are both Ethiopian – Kenenisa Bekele with his 27:49-minute run in 2012 and Meselech Melkamu with her record of 31:41 set in 2006. The 2023 edition
186-672: Is also recognized. Of these, the 5K, 10K, 25K, 30K, half marathon, marathon, and 100K are distances that are recognized for world records. Some major events have unique distances. The Fifth Avenue Mile in New York City , United States is 1.0 mile (1.6 km); the "Round the Bays" run in Auckland , New Zealand is 8.4 kilometres (5.2 mi); the Falmouth Road Race in Falmouth, Massachusetts
217-568: Is also run in Germany, Italy and Puerto Rico. Similarly, Race for Life holds races throughout the UK to raise money for Cancer Research UK . First person "race reports" frequently appear on the Dead Runners Society electronic mailing list . Dublin , Ireland 's Women's Mini-Marathon is said to be the largest all-female event of its kind in the world. For many, competing in a local road race can be
248-560: Is that for long periods of time, a runner will continuously be landing on a harder surface, which can lead to various overuse injuries. In any given year, on average 65–80 percent of runners experience some type of injury. In order to decrease the risk of becoming injured from impact on the road, runners can change their shoes every 300–400 miles (500–650 km). This is important because high mileage shoes have poor shock absorption and worn down treads which can cause pain. One danger in road running, as opposed to running in any other location,
279-417: Is that vehicles drive by regularly at high speeds. In a study by the company Road ID, it was found that on average 122,000 runners are hit by vehicles and end up in hospital each year. This figure does not include runners who are hit but do not end up in hospital. Runners can take precautions to decrease this risk, including: wearing reflective gear, wearing bright colors, running only during daylight, wearing
310-717: The Amateur Sports Act of 1978 . Competitors from around the world participate in what are dubbed the "elite" races for cash prizes. Elite level road running series include the World Marathon Majors , the Great Run series, and IAAF Road Race Label Events . Manchester Road Race The Manchester Road Race is a 4.737 mile (7.623 km) footrace held annually on Thanksgiving Day in Manchester , Connecticut . Race proceeds are donated each year to Muscular Dystrophy research and about 18 other local charities. Beginning promptly at 10:00am every Thanksgiving Morning,
341-447: The marathon . They may involve large numbers of runners or wheelchair entrants. The four most common World Athletics recognized distances for road running events are 5K runs , 10K runs , half marathons and marathons. Running on the road is an alternative surface to running on a trail, track, or treadmill. For many people looking to participate in running as an activity or sport, there are multiple opportunities that can be found on
SECTION 10
#1732873334103372-439: The 1932 steeplechase who is recognized for winning the race four times. His brother John was the winner of the first race held in 1927. Joe's final Manchester Road Race victory came in 1947, 17 years after his first. Years won: 1968, 1969, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 Amby Burfoot is an American runner from New London, Connecticut who is known for winning the 1968 Boston Marathon. As of 2015, he had competed in
403-500: The 1979 and 1981 races. He coached four Providence College runners who also won the MRR: Mark Caroll (1998 and 2000), Amy Rudolph (1995-97, 2000 and 2002), Kim Smith (2004 and 2005), and Emily Sisson (2017). Haron Lagat of Kenya won the 2009 Race with a time of 21:40, beating Chicago 's Patrick Smyth by one second—Smyth was also the runner up in 2008. Alemtsehay Misganaw, an Ethiopian who lives in New York City , won
434-469: The 2005 race. In addition to the competitive spirit of the road race, Manchester Road Race enthusiasts are attracted every year to further enhance the good spirit of the event. Also giving this race a unique and high-spirited atmosphere, runners and fans wear costumes and may enter a competition to see who has the best costume each year. Famous among these costumed runners are the "Blues Brothers" and "Safety Man." Of note, "Safety Man" also reminds runners and
465-642: The 2009 women's race, beating five-time champion Amy Rudolph by a second. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic , the 2020 edition of the race was held virtually. In 2024, the course was remeasured and found to be nearly 60 ft shorter due to various repaving projects over the years. The official registration has been over 9,000 every year since 1991, with the highest registration of 15,000 in 2010. In addition to registered runners, many registered walkers and unregistered runners participate. The race committee estimates that approximately 1,000 unregistered runners participated in
496-400: The crowd lining the streets that a safe morning means an enjoyable Thanksgiving afternoon. In a historic Manchester Road Race tradition preceding the race, "Safety Man" will lead the cavalcade of elite runners and alert spectators along the course that the race has begun and runners are approaching. Years won: 1930, 1931, 1932, 1947 Joe McCluskey was an American Olympic bronze medalist in
527-410: The distance. In order to record times for participants in road races, the race organiser typically pays a timing company to take times electronically, using a technology called radio-frequency identification (RFID). RFID technology is placed in either a disposable race bib, a shoe chip that is tied to shoelaces, or an ankle bracelet. RFID timing mats are then placed at the finish line of the race; when
558-477: The general public. Participants are of varying running ability. It is not unusual for large events to have thousands of participants. Men and women compete side by side, and professional runners run in the same events as the average runner. In more prestigious races this is less likely to happen as there will be separate heats for men and women and for professional and non-professional athletes. In certain athletic events, first time amateurs are welcome to participate in
589-512: The inaugural race. The race continued annually until 1934, when the economic crisis during the Great Depression resulted in the race's cancellation. Consequently, the race was not held for 10 years (from 1935 to 1944), but began running again from 1945 to 2019, and will resume in 2021. In 1967 the race was recognized as the second largest race in the country, with more than 200 participants. Due to growing interest and participation in this event,
620-451: The motivation needed for individuals to pursue physical activity. In a study done by the bureau for labor statistics, road running ranked third in the most common form of sport and exercise activity for Americans. Running on the roads has a different effect on the muscles in the human body opposed to running on the treadmill. Treadmills are made to assist running form due to the way the belt pushes your legs back enhancing movement. Running on
651-569: The race attracts athletes of all ages and abilities. First run in 1927, the race regularly attracts accomplished runners from across the United States as well as internationally recognized competitors. The race was first held in 1927 with only twelve runners participating in the race. The race was conceived and promoted by the captain of the Manchester High School cross country team Frank "Duke" Haraburda, who competed and placed second in
SECTION 20
#1732873334103682-591: The race surpassed 1,000 runners in 1976 and just ten years later attracted more than 6,000 runners. In 1994 the number of runners had reached 10,000 and in 2009 over 12,000 people officially ran the race. "The Manchester Road Race has grown to be the largest race in Connecticut, the third largest in New England and in the top 25 largest distance races in the country." (Manchester Road Race Committee) In 1960, Julia Chase-Brand entered Manchester in hopes of participating in
713-465: The race, although McKenzie veered off onto the sidewalk before the finish line so as not to get in trouble with racing officials. Julia finished in 33 minutes 40 seconds, which would have given her 128th place, ahead of 10 men, if her time was officially counted. Lechausse finished with a time of 41:12. In 1977, the race committee created male and female divisions, rather than a single open registration. Irish immigrant Ray Treacy finished second in
744-472: The road race, but she was turned down due to her gender. Race officials told her that if she ran she would be banned from racing for life. She lobbied to be allowed to race for a year, but without success. In 1961 she did run the race, without permission, but then racing's governing body vowed to ban her from all competition unless she agreed to stay out of "men's" road races. She agreed to stay out. Two other women, Chris McKenzie and Dianne Lechausse, also ran
775-463: The road through various conditions such as hills will do more to strengthen glutes, hamstrings, quads, and smaller muscles in the legs. Additionally, running on the road can help improve bone density as your body breaks down from impact and then regenerates itself. As with any type of running, there is a risk of natural wear and tear on the human body due to the different movements required to run. The difference with road running compared to other forms
806-831: The road. Road running is one of several forms of road racing, which also includes road bicycle racing and motor vehicle road racing . Race courses are usually held on the streets of major cities and towns but can be on any road. World Athletics recognizes eleven common distances for road races that are eligible to be counted for records if they meet the eligibility criteria: 1 mile (1,609.3 m), 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) , 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) , 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) , 10 miles (16.1 km) , 20 kilometres (12.4 mi) , half marathon (21.098 km or 13.1 mi), 25 kilometres (15.5 mi), 30 kilometres (19 mi), 35 kilometres (21.7 mi), marathon (42.195 km or 26.2 mi), 50 kilometres (31.1 mi), and 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) . The 24-hour run
837-417: The runner crosses the line their time will be automatically recorded. This technology has developed over time to be the most efficient form of recording multiple athlete times. Road running is recognizable for its diverse features. Anyone is welcome to participate in road running whether it be for recreational activity or for the purpose of competition. Running is an activity that attracts people from all over
868-662: The same event as members of running clubs and even current world-class champions. This wide availability makes road racing extremely popular, and millions of people worldwide run thousands of races each year. In the U.S., 18.1 million people registered for recreational road races in 2018. While world record-holders can maintain paces of 4–5 minutes per mile (2.5 – 3 minutes per km), non-professional runners average around 10 min/mile (6 min/km). The majority of registrants run for personal reasons such as achievement and fitness rather than to compete, and many race courses accommodate this by staying open long enough for participants to jog or walk
899-581: The thousands of road races held each year, 238 races, including some premier ones, are members of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS). Many race organizers (or the running clubs which conduct the races) are members of the Road Runners Club of America . In addition, the USA Track & Field plays a role in selecting representatives for certain international competitions under
930-531: The world and for any age. For example, many road racing events recognize finishers in an age group system which acts as a way to reward younger or older athletes who may not be able to compete with runners in a prime age. Road races are often community-wide events that highlight or raise money for an issue or project. In the US, Susan G. Komen 's Race for the Cure is held nationwide to raise breast cancer awareness. This race
961-698: Was marred in farce and controversy when the course for all participants ended 1.5km shorter than the 10km distance. This was due to poor planning arising from competitors being directed the wrong way near the start of the route, and no fail-safe to remedy such a situation once it occurred. Athletics Ireland issued a statement "apologising for the unforeseen circumstances" which led to the course distance running short. Key: Course record Irish championship race Road running These events are usually classified as long-distance according to athletics terminology, with races typically ranging from 5 kilometers to 42.2 kilometers in