You may have seen such running videos on social media? The hashtags #running, #runtok and #løping abound on TikTok and Instagram. If you need tips for running your first half marathon, it’s just a few keystrokes away. Siri Massey Sommerstad (21) has no doubts. She believes that running has become trendy. Siri Massey Sommerstad (21) believes that running has become trendy. She herself will take part in a race this year. Photo: Private – I’m on TikTok, and I get a lot of people who are going to participate in races. That is probably where I have been inspired, she tells news. She will run her first half-marathon this year. More young people sign up for races Two of Norway’s biggest marathons, the Oslo Marathon and the Bergen City Marathon, have both experienced an increase in people under the age of 25 who sign up for full and half marathons in recent years. The number of participants increased until 2019, but when the corona pandemic came there was a decline. But then the numbers started to rise again. Illustration: Alexander Slotten / news From 2022 to 2023 there was an 85 percent increase for full and half marathons combined for the Oslo Marathon, and a 27 percent increase for the Bergen City Marathon. – There will be more young people, says Edwin Ingebrigtsen at the Oslo Marathon. Photo: Oslo Marathon – It is difficult to point out whether this is a trend. But in general, we can see that there is a beginning wave of running going on, and that more young people are coming, says Edwin Ingebrigtsen, race director for Oslo Marathon. Ingebrigtsen believes tighter finances and expensive times may be a reason why more people are running. – Running is a very simple and cheap sport to do. Ingebrigtsen states that there is an increase in the age groups in general to sign up for races. Illustration: Alexander Slotten / news Number of entrants aged 18 to 25 in Oslo Marathon and Bergen City Marathon: Total figures for full and half marathons. 2018: 1450 (Oslo) / 957 (Bergen) 2019: 1856 (Oslo) / 1113 (Bergen) 2020: Canceled 2021: 262 (Oslo) / 769 (Bergen) 2022: 1028 (Oslo) / 853 (Bergen) 2023: 1901 (Oslo) / 1087 (Bergen) 2024: 566 (Oslo, figures obtained 15.02.24) / 1180 (Bergen, figures obtained 25.01.24) Figures obtained from Oslo Marathon and Bergen City Marathon Had to think differently Sommerstad gets a lot of running posts on social media. – It just comes more and more. I find that there are more people who have never run before, who now inspire others to run by posting videos, she says. The hashtag #running has almost 3 million posts on TikTok. There are over 92 million posts on Instagram with the same subject tag. Although Sommerstad has enjoyed training all his life, the joy of running came recently. – Two years ago I started to like running. For me, it was about having to think differently, she says and continues: – Before, it was a mental battle against being able to run without taking breaks. Now it’s more important for me to enjoy the surroundings when I’m out running, and not be so strict with myself. Illustration: Alexander Slotten / news But it is challenges and goals that really ignite the running spark at Sommerstad. – My goal is to complete a race. I have a lot of competitive instinct and I want to see results. Then I feel there is meaning in what I do, she says eagerly. The winner will be treated to dinner For student Tobias Audun Berteig (22), it is a bet that means that the training is characterized by running forward. – I’m going to run the Birken half marathon with two friends. Whoever wins will be treated to a dinner for NOK 1,500, he says. Tobias Audun Berteig (22) is training to run the Birken half marathon to win the bet he has with his friends. Photo: / Private Berteig does not experience influence through social media. – I don’t feel that running is a trend. It is perhaps those who have a background in sports who have now started running. It is probably rather that health has become trendy. I feel a lot of people are concerned about staying in good shape. Are you going to run a full or half marathon this year?🏃♀️ Yes, and I’m looking forward to it!😊 Yes, but I’m afraid… No, it’s not for me🥵 Show result The bet keeps the motivation up for the student. – It’s mostly just a fun thing. It will be super motivating not to lose. We all have a very strong competitive instinct, he says and adds: – It’s a bit cool to say that you’ve also run the Birken. The winner gets bragging rights. Can everyone manage to run a marathon? In fact, this boasting and running has a long tradition. According to the Store Norske Leksikon, marathons are based on the legend of the messenger Pheidippides. Legend has it that Pheidippides ran from the city of Marathon to Athens in Greece in the year 490 BCE. to bring the glad tidings that the Greeks had triumphed over the Persians. The feeling of victory did not last long for the messenger. He died as soon as he arrived. Illustration: Alexander Slotten / news The distance of Pheidippides’ race was approximately 40 km. Therefore, this became the starting point for the marathon. Magne Lund-Hansen is a university lecturer at the Norwegian College of Sports. He believes that running is a form of exercise that appeals to many people, and that many have ambitions and goals linked to running. – I think running is very popular because it requires no equipment, and it can be done anywhere. In addition, it is incredibly comparable, because 42 km or 42 km over all. – Can everyone manage to run a marathon? – I would certainly say that. With a little practice, everyone will be able to do it. Magne Lund-Hansen believes that everyone can manage to run a marathon. With a little practice of course. Photo: Norges Idrettshøgskole Lund-Hansen’s three tips are: 1. Run longer sessions 2. Train to run at the speed you want to run at during the competition 3. Train to ingest food and drink while running
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