running: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Oct. 31, 2026

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Campaign tackles women's fears over running in the dark • Oct. 26, 2026, 11:37 AM ET (BBC)

Facts

Also Known As	track event • track athletics
Notable Honorees	Lee Evans

Photos and Videos

Pan American Sports Games, Rio de Janeiro, 2007

Infographic about the ancient Olympic Games featuring stylized illustrations of athletes competing in discus, long jump, javelin, equestrian events, running events, boxing, wrestling, and pankration. Each sport is labeled with a brief description, and a central text box explains the origins and evolution of the Games in Olympia, Greece.

The miles-long history of the marathon

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Topics

hurdling marathon orienteering cross-country How Fast Is the World’s Fastest Human?Boston Marathon sprint middle-distance running steeplechase Tokyo Marathon Baseball boxing golf American football football cricket rugby Basketball tennis ice hockey

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athletics: Conflicts and controversies

Key People

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Laurence E. Myers

American athlete

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Jim Ryun

American athlete

Usain Bolt of Jamaica reacts after breaking the world record with a time of 19.30 to win the gold medal as Churandy Martina (left) of Netherlands Antilles and Brian Dzingai of Zimbabwe come in after him in the Men's 200m Final at the National Stadium during Day 12 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 20, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Summer Olympics, track and field, athletics)

I Am the Greatest (Athlete)

Assorted sports balls including a basketball, football, soccer ball, tennis ball, baseball and others.

American Sports Nicknames