What Does It Mean To Be A Runner?

This is a question that has been thrown around the running world. You might be surprised how many people believe they’re not real runners if they can’t achieve specific times or milestones. They think they need to hit faster paces or run higher mileage to call themselves a runner.

Even people who have completed multiple marathons sometimes don’t see themselves as real runners. But when it comes to the "why" of running, everyone has a different answer. Some run to shed weight, maintain fitness, or cope with stress. The good news? The only requirement to call yourself a runner is to run. It’s that simple. Nothing else matters.

Discovering your "why" can help you reconnect with running and give you a greater sense of purpose. It might even give you the motivation to push yourself on your next run. So, what does it mean to be a runner? The answer may be different for everyone.

At the beginning of my running journey, I never considered myself a runner—even though I was accomplishing things many veteran runners hadn’t. It took a long time for me to embrace the identity. But once I became comfortable with the label, I realized that being a runner has nothing to do with achievements.

It’s actually a mindset. A feeling. A thought process. A connection with other runners.

You sense it when you pass the same runner each morning on the trail and exchange a "good morning." You feel the energy bouncing between you. It’s that instinct to honk and cheer when you see a runner on the road, knowing how much a small boost can help when things get tough.

It’s also the rush of excitement when a World Major Marathon is happening, inspiring you to push harder on your next run. You become a runner when you realize that your motivation to train comes from something deeper than just crossing a finish line in a certain time.

At the core of it, every runner is battling self-doubt. Each time they lace up their shoes and push through, they win that battle. It’s a feeling of accomplishment. When you see another runner out on the trail putting in the work, you understand what it means to win that fight against self-doubt. It’s a special connection.

There’s a unique solidarity in knowing that while you run alone, others are out there doing the same—facing their own battles, pushing through the same struggles. It’s a mindset.

There’s a saying: If you ever question the humanity of the world, just go watch a marathon. The energy on race day is about more than just the competition. It’s about the sweat, blood, and tears poured into training. The race itself is just the celebration.

To me, this is what it means to be a runner.