From the Wild Atlantic Way to Bondi Beach – where do Irish people prefer to run?

Did you get motivated over the weekend seeing everyone run the very first Dublin City Half Marathon? If so, it’s time to lace up those runners, because Decathlon Ballymun is giving Dubliners another reason to hit the pavement! The store is launching its brand-new Decathlon Running Club, with the first run taking place on Wednesday, April 2nd at 6pm.

Whether you’re an experienced marathoner or just in it for the post-run snacks, everyone is welcome to join this monthly 5km run. And the best part? Free coffee and nutrition product samples await all participants in-store after the run!

Why join the Decathlon Running Club?

A recent Decathlon Running survey uncovered some funny and relatable insights into Ireland’s runners. Did you know that 18% of runners took up the sport during COVID just to cure boredom? Or that a whopping 87% prefer pounding the pavement over treadmill running? When it comes to motivation factors, fitness (47%) and mental health benefits (45%) came out on top.

Where would Ireland run if they could?Dreaming of a scenic run? The survey found that at home, most runners would love to jog The Wild Atlantic Way (58%) through the Phoenix Park (20%) and along the Waterford Greenway, while abroad, 40% would pick a dreamy Bondi Beach run or a mountain trail (36%) with scenic views like somewhere in Switzerland.

Who would you run with?

If Decathlon runners could have a celebrity pacer, it would be a tough race between Sonia O’Sullivan (27%), Derval O’Rourke (26%) and Usain Bolt (26%) - though let’s face it, Bolt would be a mere blur within seconds.

Music makes you run faster!

When it comes to running motivation, Eye of the Tiger was the top song choice after ‘I Will Survive’, ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ and ‘Chariots of Fire’.

Some other results from the survey included:

• 45% of people run for their mental health and stress relief.

• 19% of runners have faked an injury to skip a run, with 50% saying they would never do such a thing!

• 67% of people prefer solo running, 22% would run with a friend, and 11% prefer running in a group.

• And finally, 73% of people would rather finish last in a race but have the best run of their life, rather than 27% of people who would rather win a race but hate every second of it.

Join the fun!

Decathlon Ballymun’s Running Club is all about community, movement, and motivation. Whether you’re a morning warrior, a nighttime pavement-pounder, or a “whenever I find the energy” kind of runner, this club is for you. Solo runners, buddy pairs, and groups are all welcome!

Follow Decathlon Ireland on Strava to track your progress and connect with fellow runners: strava.app.link/4G0h8MyaGRb

For more information see www.decathlon.ie

Slán go fóill.