Running around the Country: An Analysis of the Running Phenomenon among Brazilian Runners

Abstract

Differences in economic and social aspects between Brazilian states/regions can determine participation in running. The purpose of this study was to identify the occurrence of the OUTrun (i.e., Out Running), mapping the main routes carried out by runners, as well as the factors associated with this behavior between different Brazilian regions. The sample comprised 1053 runners of both sexes (women: 426; men: 627) who answered an online questionnaire, providing information related to individual, socioeconomic (SES), and training characteristics. A logistic regression analysis was computed, considering the regions. South and Southeast regions received the largest number of runners; runners from the North and Northeast regions were those who left their states the most to compete. Factors related to the OUTrun were the preferred distance, SES, and age. The results provide information to facilitate access to running events and can provide benefits related to making the practice accessible to a larger number of people.