People around the world have been running more regularly during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
People around the world have been running more regularly during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
People around the world have been running more regularly during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National
People around the world have been running more regularly during the pandemic. Victor Besa / The National

How the pandemic inspired a new wave of runners around the world


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

Amid the isolation of months spent indoors, more people than ever have been reaching for their running shoes.

Figures from around the world show a surge of people running regularly, with many citing it as a way to feel free from the confines of self-isolation.

Two thirds of those surveyed said running was a way to help them cope with stressful situations

The study, carried out by Asics, spoke to 14,000 regular runners across 12 countries, and found more than a third said they are more active now than before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, despite most sports being brought to a standstill by the outbreak.

The study also revealed that runners were getting out for more than just their fitness. Two-thirds of those surveyed said running was a way to help them cope with stressful situations, while 79 per cent said running helps them to feel saner and more in control. In fact, 67 per cent of runners said the mental benefits far outweighed the physical.

Fitness-tracker app Runkeeper also provided data for the study. According to its April figures, the app saw a 225 per cent increase in registrations globally and a 44 per cent rise in monthly active users compared with the same time last year. Globally, it has reported a 62 per cent spike in people running at least once a week.

“For most of us, life is full of anxieties, uncertainties and restrictions at the moment,” says Yasuhito Hirota, president and chief operating officer at Asics. “As our study's initial findings prove, a run has therefore become much more than just a run. It's a way for people to put aside the extraordinary mental challenges of this pandemic."

Almost three-quarters of runners say they plan to continue running as regularly as they have been during the pandemic once things return to normal, and 62 per cent of people who took up running only after Covid-19 struck say they plan to continue their new habit.

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COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Xpanceo

Started: 2018

Founders: Roman Axelrod, Valentyn Volkov

Based: Dubai, UAE

Industry: Smart contact lenses, augmented/virtual reality

Funding: $40 million

Investor: Opportunity Venture (Asia)

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)

Match on BeIN Sports

RESULTS

6.30pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group One (PA) US$65,000 (Dirt) 1,600m

Winner RB Money To Burn, Fabrice Veron (jockey), Eric Lemartinel (trainer).

7.05pm Handicap (TB) $175,000 (Turf) 1,200m

Winner Ekhtiyaar, Jim Crowley, Doug Watson.

7.40pm UAE 2000 Guineas Trial Conditions (TB) $100,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Commanding, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.

8.15pm Singspiel Stakes Group Two (TB) $250,000 (T) 1,800m

Winner Benbatl, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.

8.50pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Zakouski, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

9.25pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-1 Group Two (TB) $350,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Kimbear, Pat Dobbs, Doug Watson.

10pm Dubai Trophy Conditions (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,200m

Winner Platinum Star, Christophe Soumillon, Saeed bin Suroor.

10.35pm Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner Key Victory, James Doyle, Charlie Appleby.

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Williams at Wimbledon

Venus Williams - 5 titles (2000, 2001, 2005, 2007 and 2008)

Serena Williams - 7 titles (2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016)

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

RESULT

Bournemouth 0 Southampton 3 (Djenepo (37', Redmond 45' 1, 59')

Man of the match Nathan Redmond (Southampton)

Company profile

Name: GiftBag.ae

Based: Dubai

Founded: 2011

Number of employees: 4

Sector: E-commerce

Funding: Self-funded to date