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A short history of running
Carl Morris traces the origins of long-distance running as a sport back to the heyday of 19th-century pedestrianism
- Dr David Musgrove, FSA
Published: April 24, 2026 at 8:01 AM
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Why do people run marathons in their thousands these days?
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Carl Morris, in conversation with Dave Musgrove, traces the origins of running as a sport back to the heyday of 19th-century pedestrianism, when Victorian runners seen as the superstars of their day and performed in front of huge crowds. From these humble roots, they chart the start of the modern passion for marathons.
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To find out more about the strange story of long-distance wheelbarrow pedestrianism, check out the HistoryExtra podcast series, The Tiger Tamer who went to sea
Authors
Dr David Musgrove, FSAContent director
David Musgrove is the content director at HistoryExtra
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