Running is a popular activity that has been around for thousands of years. It is one of the oldest sports known to mankind, and it remains an important part of physical fitness, sports and athletics today.
But when was running invented? Let’s take a look at the history of running from its ancient beginnings to modern developments.
Ancient History Of Running
People have been running since early cave man was first chased by a lion or other nasty beasty. Our ancient ancestors ran for survival for millions of years. But formal running as a form of exercise or sport has more recent origins.
Running as a sport dates back to ancient times, with evidence found in Greek literature written over 2500 years ago. The earliest records come from 776 BC, when a cook named Coroebus won the very first Olympic Games marathon race held in Athens. This event sparked interest in running competitions all over the world, particularly in Japan, India, Africa and Europe.
A few hundred years later the distance of the Marathon was first set. According to Greek historian Herodotus an ancient runner was sent to ask for help from Athens and ran from Marathon to Athens to summon this help, with the distance being 26.2 miles, the current Marathon distance.
In addition to athletic events, running was also used as a means of transportation by nomadic cultures who moved across vast distances in search of food and shelter. The Tarahumara tribe of Mexico are well-known for their long-distance running ability – they can run up to 250 miles in a single day! This demonstrates how important running was for survival during those times.
Modern Developments in Running
Today, running is still a popular sport practiced by millions all over the world. Although it’s no longer necessary for survival, it has become an important part of many people’s fitness routines.
In addition to traditional track-and-field races like marathons and half-marathons, there are now obstacle course races like Tough Mudder and Spartan Race which combine elements of physical fitness with mental toughness and camaraderie.
With technology such as apps that track your runs or smartwatches that measure your heart rate, it has become easier than ever to track your progress and set goals for yourself.
Running is not just for fitness either. Many people find running enjoyable. It can be a form of meditation and gives you private time for mindful thinking. Personally, I often find moments of clarity or the answers to difficult questions become clear in the middle of my long runs.
A Final Word on the History of Running
Running has been around since ancient times and is still going strong today. While it was once used as a means of transportation or competition between athletes, today it is most often used as a form of exercise or recreation by millions all over the world.
With modern technology such as tracking apps or smartwatches making it easier than ever to monitor progress or set goals, there’s no better time than now to get into running! Who knows – you might just be the next Coroebus!
