Sports

How Gen Z is leading latest boom in distance running

Published

2 days ago

December 9, 2025

Dec. 9, 2025, 6:02 a.m. ET

Distance running is experiencing a surge in popularity, particularly among Gen Z.
Athletes who under-fuel their bodies risk a condition called Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).
Symptoms of REDs can include fatigue, hormonal problems, bone density loss, and decreased performance.

Distance running is having a moment — and it’s largely being led by Gen Zers, whose participation has been on the rise since the pandemic ended.

In recent years, we’ve seen high-profile celebrities such as Harry Styles, Colin Farrell, Kevin Hart, Ashton Kutcher, Jennifer Connelly and Chelsea Clinton, among others, complete full marathons. In turn, races of all distances nationwide are seeing a dramatic spike in participation.

And that certainly goes for all of the events — 5K, 10K, half-marathon, marathon relay and full marathon — that will take place Dec. 13-14 in downtown West Palm Beach at the annual Palm Beaches Marathon weekend.

But back to Gen Zers: According to Road Runners Club of America “from 2021 to 2024, the percentage of finishers aged 20 to 29 have increased from 16.4% to 24.5% in the marathon, 17.1% to 26.2% in the half marathon, 13.9% to 20.6% in the 10K and 12.3% to 17.2% in the 5K.”

In addition, there’s been a marked increase in membership in running clubs across the nation.

As Runner’s World noted earlier this year, “Run clubs are replacing dating apps. Brands are tapping these groups for sampling and sponsorships. Celebs like Diplo and blink-182 drummer Travis Barker are starting their own run clubs. Around 7 percent of runners surveyed for Running USA’s annual report in 2023 stated that they were part of a running club. And Strava saw a 59 percent increase in new clubs in 2024, according to the tracking platform’s annual Year in Sport report, with Gen Z as the leading contributor to that growth.”

TikTok and Instagram are chock-full of fitness and beauty influencers documenting their training and race-day experiences — and their followers are taking note. This has led to more sneaker and apparel brands targeting their distance running gear to younger consumers, further fueling the rise in the sport’s participation rates.

Seeing so many young adults lean into becoming endurance athletes is certainly heartening — especially when you think about how beneficial this could be for decreasing the nation’s obesity rates.

That said, there are some aspects of becoming an endurance athlete that young folks — especially women — must stay vigilant about avoiding so as to ensure they can partake in their favorite road races for years and decades to come.

Dangers of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs)

We all know that proper nutrition — which includes sufficient caloric intake— is the foundation for undertaking any kind of athletic pursuit.

And this is especially true for endurance sports — running, cycling, swimming and the like.

But regardless of one’s age, gender or ability level, there’s a perpetual risk for endurance athletes to under-fuel their body’s basic caloric needs.

When that happens, the athlete becomes vulnerable to suffering from a syndrome known as “Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport” (REDs).

The term was introduced by the International Olympic Committee in 2014 and while it was originally coined to expand on an existing condition for elite competitors called “the female athlete triad” (which is comprised of irregular menstruation, loss of bone mass and disordered eating), in recent years experts have been stressing that REDs can affect anyone.

CNN explains that “Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) occurs when an athlete of any gender has overtrained and/or under-eaten for a prolonged period in an attempt to improve their performance, often without knowing the dangers of failing to compensate for the energy they expend in training and racing.”

The potential complications of suffering from REDs are myriad and they include the following:

Fatigue
Weight loss
Missed or irregular periods
Hormonal problems
Digestive problems
Bone density loss
Stress fractures
Repeated muscle or connective tissue injuries
Cold intolerance
Low sex drive
Frequent illness
Slow heart rate
Low blood pressure
Decreased athletic performance
Hair loss
Trouble focusing
Irritability
Depression
Anxiety

Identifying — and treating — root causes of REDs

Many athletes suffering from REDs may have other mental-health complications that contribute to the condition.

Body image issues and/or disordered eating habits are the most commonplace. It also happens frequently to folks who put intense pressure on themselves and/or are perfectionists.

In those instances, the athlete may benefit from being treated via a multidisciplinary approach that includes education and consultations with experts such as nutritionists, sports psychologists, sport-specific coaches, and/or sports medicine doctors.

Another potential factor perhaps contributing to recreational endurance athletes suffering from REDs is how many people nowadays are taking GLP-1 medications to control their weight.

Those on GLP-1 medications usually have decreased appetites as well as decreased overall interest in, and enjoyment of, food.

It’s easy to see how those on GLP-1 medications who become involved in an endurance sport may inadvertently end up suffering from REDs during their training.

For most recreational athletes who may be suffering from REDs, the condition can usually be rectified by a combination of eating a well-planned, nutrient-dense diet and incorporating more rest days into the training program. That’s where consultation with the nutritionists, coaches, and healthcare experts can be so beneficial.

Link

Sports

Amadi Garners MEAC Weekly Honor

Published

40 minutes ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NORFOLK, Va. – With the first indoor meet completed, the Eagles earned a weekly conference honor, announced by the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference on Wednesday afternoon. North Carolina Central’s Zion Amadi was named the MEAC Men’s Track Athlete of the Week.

Amadi had podium finishes in two races at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off on Dec. 6, while moving up the school record books. He won the men’s 400m seeded race with a time of 47.78 seconds, which moved him up to third all-time at NCCU in the Division I era. Amadi now sits behind Gordon Lewis (47.11 – 2019) and Donnell Carter (47.70 – 2022).

The sophomore placed second in the 200m seeded race at the JDL Fast Track. Amadi would also break the school record in the event in 21.13 seconds. Lewis held that record since the 2019-20 season (21.27). Amadi broke meet records in both events as well.

The Eagles are back to work after the holiday break, staying local for the Dick Taylor Challenge on Jan. 16-17, hosted by North Carolina at the Eddie Smith Field House in Chapel Hill.

For more information on NCCU Athletics, visit NCCUEaglePride.com.

Link

Sports

Banwo, Lyons Receive MEAC Weekly Accolades

Published

56 minutes ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

NORFOLK, Va. (December 10, 2025) – The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) revealed its women’s track & field weekly accolades where Howard University swept the awards. The announcement came Wednesday afternoon.

Senior thrower Temi Banwo (Allen, Texas) won Field Athlete of the Week while junior sprinter Yahnari Lyons (Hampton, Ga.) took home Track Athlete of the Week.

At the HBCU & Ivy Challenge (Dec. 5), Banwo placed fourth in the shot put with a MEAC-best mark of 13.88 meters and earned bronze in the weight throw with another conference-leading toss of 16.92 meters.

For Lyons, she won the 200-meter dash with a MEAC-leading time of 24.11, which sits 11^th in the country.

On Dec. 13, HU returns to the Northeast for the Seahawk Shootout, hosted by Wagner College.

For more information, visit the Bison Athletics website at www.HUBison.com or the MEAC website at www.MEACSports.com.

Link

Sports

Cincinnati Enquirer names 2025 girls volleyball all-city teams

Published

5 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Updated Dec. 10, 2025, 8:20 p.m. ET

The 2025 high school girls volleyball season brought two state championships to Cincinnati and a state runner-up to Northern Kentucky.

But more than that, the action on the court each night showcased some of the best talent each state had to offer.

Here are The Enquirer’s 2025 all-city teams for each division in Ohio, plus Northern Kentucky and Indiana.

Link

Sports

Pitt volleyball to host 2026 Opening Spike Classic

Published

5 hours ago

December 11, 2025

Your Sports Nation

Pitt volleyball will begin the 2026 campaign with two major tests, as the Panthers were announced as hosts for the Opening Spike Classic, featuring matchups against Kansas and Wisconsin.

The two-day event at Petersen Events Center will be televised nationally on ESPN and see Pitt play the Jayhawks Aug. 28 and Badgers on Aug. 30. Stanford and Wisconsin also play on the event’s first day, followed by the Jayhawks vs. the Cardinal on Day 2.

The Opening Spike Classic debuted last season with the Badgers playing host to matches featuring Kansas, Creighton and Texas.

“We’re excited to kick off opening weekend by hosting three of the best teams in the country,” Pitt coach Dan Fisher said in statement. “Fans can look forward to high-level volleyball right here in Pittsburgh. If we want to be the best, we have to play the best, and we’re doing that right away.”

The No. 1-seeded Panthers (28-4, 18-2 ACC) host No. 4 Minnesota at 7 p.m. Thursday in the NCAA Tournament regional semifinals.

A win over the Gophers would propel the Panthers, who have advanced to the Final Four for the last four consecutive seasons, to the Elite 8, where they’d face the winner of the regional semifinal match between No. 2 SMU and No. 3 Purdue.

Next year’s Opening Spike Classic participants — Stanford, Kansas and Wisconsin — are all also currently competing for a national title.

No. 4 Kansas faces No. 1 Nebraska on Friday night, while No. 2 Stanford and No. 3 Wisconsin square off in the afternoon.

The Opening Spike Classic is organized by PlayFly Sports in collaboration with JMI Sports, exclusive multimedia rights holder for Pitt Athletics.

“We are thrilled to be bringing this event back for a second year and to build on the momentum we created with the event launch last year,” said Michael Neuman, co-head of Playfly Sports Consulting. “The Opening Spike Classic is a celebration of women’s achievements in sports, and there is no better way to recognize that than by bringing together these top college volleyball teams to compete.”

Justin Guerriero is a TribLive reporter covering the Penguins, Pirates and college sports. A Pittsburgh native, he is a Central Catholic and University of Colorado graduate. He joined the Trib in 2022 after covering the Colorado Buffaloes for Rivals and freelancing for the Denver Post. He can be reached at jguerriero@triblive.com.

Link