So, running is “cool” again.
Okay, in all fairness, the exercise never truly went out of style. For many people, strapping on their sports shoes every morning or evening is as routine as brushing their teeth. When picking holiday destinations, they look up the best countries for running.
However, every few decades or so, the world seems to cycle back into this “running boom.”
In the 1970s, more than 25 million Americans had picked up some sort of running, particularly after Frank Shorter snagged the Olympic gold for the men’s marathon in 1972. Road racing drew tens of thousands of participants, and the sport had turned into a billion-dollar industry.
Then, 2010 brought in a second wave through mass-appealing Nike and Adidas campaigns, including Gyakusou — a Nike line designed by Jun Takahashi from the brand Undercover.
As of today, we’ve entered the third cycle of a running boom, but there is no need for an Olympic gold medalist or star-studded sports apparel campaign. As Field Mag writes, “The Internet and social media have made the deepest niches of any interest instantly reachable.” I mean, look at all the Strava pics everyone and their mums are posting of their runs these days.
What social media did was simply boost the popularity of an already popular form of exercise, especially during the pandemic, when gyms were forced to shut down.
Certain cities around the world, such as Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, host car-free mornings where civilians can speed through the streets for a safe, sunrise sweat.
Perhaps you’re looking to pick up a new workout, and running seems like the easiest option. You’ve already got a pair of trainers, and even if you don’t have access to the treadmill, all you really need is to step outside the door, and your neighbourhood becomes your track.
But, this whole running thing…has it become a little performative?
Why you should pick up running (and why you shouldn’t)
There’s no need to spell out how important exercise is — and it’s particularly crucial for students. Studies by the Department of Preventive Medicine at the University of Southern California display a positive link between staying active and higher academic performance. Students who exercise more often achieve higher grades and enhanced cognitive skills.
Running itself poses many health benefits, the biggest being that it’s been shown to prolong your literal lifespan. It helps manage your weight and enhances muscle strength. It even plays a role in reducing stress and improving your mental health.
That said, it’s important you pick up running for the right reasons. The best kind of motivation is intrinsic, whether it is for health or aesthetic purposes (or both).
Social media is a great platform for sharing new interests, but it’s also easy to get caught up in the swirl of diet culture, perfectionism, and even consumerism tied to exercise. An influencer may, you know, influence you to start a 5 a.m. running routine, but if you’re not one bit a morning person, they may just be leading you down a one-way road to quitting.
At the end of the day, there is no better reason than to start running for you.
If you’re already a runner, and are interested in studying (or travelling) abroad, here are some of the best countries for running for your consideration.
Here are 5 of the best countries for running
If you’re an avid runner and want to keep at it while studying in college, here are some of the best countries for running to consider studying abroad at.
Australia
Since 2024, Australia has seen a rapid growth in running clubs, and marathons are selling out at record speed. Over 123,000 runners entered the 2026 ballot for the TCS Sydney Marathon, marking the highest — yet unexpected — interest in the event’s history.
Famous running routes:
- Sydney Opera House to Harbour Bridge loop
- Melbourne’s “Tan Track” in the Botanic Gardens
- The 1,200 km Heysen Trail in Melbourne
- Trails within Blue Mountains National Park in Sydney
Austria
Imagine running along the Donaukanal in Vienna, one of the most architecturally stunning cities in the world. If that’s not reason enough to start running, the nation is home to both large events like the Vienna City Marathon and smaller ones like trail running in Innsbruck.
Famous running routes:
- Donauinsel and Prater Hauptallee in Vienna
- The Inn River trail in Innsbruck
- Mozart 100 (a premier annual trail running event held in Salzburg)
- Stubai High Trail
Japan
When thinking of the best countries for running, Japan might not immediately occur to you. After all, it seems to be on every 20 to 30-something’s travel list, but not exactly for this reason. But interestingly, running in Japan isn’t just an exercise, but a culture. It gained popularity after World War II, with the most popular route being the five kilometre stretch around the Imperial Palace.
Famous running routes:
- Imperial Palace route in Tokyo
- Yoyogi Park in Tokyo
- Kamo River (Kamogawa) Path in Kyoto
- 3.5 km perimeter path at Osaka Castle Park
South Africa
It’s no secret that some of the best runners in the world come from Africa. For those eager to start sprinting, South Africa’s your top spot. Their sprint programmes challenge you through weekly routines of acceleration sessions, max-velocity days, and speed-endurance tests.
Famous running routes:
- Table Mountain & Cape Peninsula (Western Cape)
- Garden Route National Park, famed for its 42km Salomon Otter African Trail Run
- Karkloof Forest in KwaZulu-Natal province
Canada
Rounding off our list for the best countries for running is Canada. Amidst the high cost of living, many Canadians have found solace in a sport as accessible as running. No trendy sports attire can replace Canada’s gorgeous trails and mountains, with one runner even stating he could spend hours running by the turquoise lakes of the Alpine Meadows.
Famous running routes:
- Stanley Park Seawall in Vancouver
- Mount Royal in Montreal
- The Bowmont Park trails in Calgary
- The 435 km Confederation Trail in Prince Edward Island
