Britain’s running boom has exploded over the past few years, largely thanks to social media.
However, physiotherapists are now warning that a growing number of young runners are ending up injured after pushing themselves too hard, too fast. Social media has turned running into more than just exercise, with marathon training, run clubs, and fitness challenges becoming part of people’s identities online. The problem is that plenty of newer runners are copying intense routines without properly understanding what long-distance running actually does to the body over time.
Running has become one of the biggest fitness trends in Britain.
Running used to feel like a fairly solitary hobby, but it’s now become something much more social and visible, especially among younger adults. Run clubs, TikTok fitness creators, marathon vlogs, and challenge-based content have all helped turn recreational running into one of the country’s fastest-growing fitness trends.
The scale of the boom is huge. More than 1.1 million people applied for the London Marathon this year, and participation among people in their twenties reportedly doubled compared with the previous year. That kind of growth naturally brings more beginners into the sport, including plenty of people with very little previous running experience.
Physiotherapists say overuse injuries are rising fast.
Clinics across the UK say they’re seeing a sharp increase in injuries linked to recreational running, particularly among younger people trying to increase mileage too quickly. Physiotherapists say many runners are underestimating how physically demanding distance running becomes once fatigue starts building over weeks and months.
Knee problems are reportedly among the most common issues appearing in clinics right now, including runner’s knee and tendon-related injuries. Shin splints, ankle pain, Achilles problems, hip pain, and lower back pain are also becoming increasingly common as more inexperienced runners throw themselves into ambitious training plans.
Social media is changing how people approach fitness.
Fitness culture online often makes difficult training routines look normal, achievable, and even glamorous. Endless videos showing marathon medals, sunrise runs, personal best times, and dramatic transformations can make people feel like they need to progress quickly in order to keep up.
Physiotherapists say that mindset can become risky when beginners skip basic preparation and recovery. Social media tends to highlight the exciting parts of running, while the slower reality of gradual training, rest days, stretching, sleep, hydration, and strength work gets far less attention because it isn’t as visually impressive online.
Some runners are being encouraged to ignore pain.
One of the more worrying trends involves influencers promoting the idea of pushing through injuries in order to maintain so-called run streaks or intense training schedules. Some online creators frame pain as proof of discipline, mental toughness, or dedication rather than a warning sign that something may actually be wrong physically.
That attitude can quickly lead to overuse injuries becoming much worse. Minor aches that could have been solved with rest sometimes turn into longer-term problems when people continue running without giving muscles, joints, or tendons enough time to properly recover between sessions.
Generic online training plans are causing problems too.
Another issue raised by physiotherapists is the huge number of generic training plans now being sold online. Many newer runners follow programmes created for mass audiences without considering their own fitness level, previous injuries, body type, or recovery ability.
That can create unrealistic expectations very quickly. Somebody going from almost no exercise to intense marathon training within a short period of time puts enormous strain on the knees, ankles, hips, and lower back, especially if they don’t already have a strong fitness foundation underneath them.
The pressure to constantly improve is becoming exhausting.
A lot of younger runners now track every kilometre, pace, split time, and calorie through apps and smartwatches, which can make exercise start feeling more competitive than enjoyable. For some people, running slowly or taking rest days begins to feel like failure instead of a normal part of training.
That pressure can build quietly over time, especially when social media feeds are filled with people apparently smashing personal records every week. The reality is that most experienced runners improve gradually over years, not through endless intense sessions stacked together without proper recovery.
Experts say running itself isn’t the real problem.
Despite the growing injury concerns, physiotherapists are careful to point out that long-distance running itself isn’t considered dangerous when approached properly. Many people successfully progress from complete beginners to marathon or even ultramarathon level without major problems.
The difference is usually pacing, preparation, and recovery. Gradually increasing mileage, building strength alongside running, getting enough sleep, eating properly, and allowing the body time to adapt all make a huge difference when it comes to avoiding injuries and staying healthy long term.
