Interview with Jean-François Dortier, author of Après quoi tu cours? and founder of Sciences Humaines magazine

The whole world started running in the 1990s

Can you describe the scale of the running boom?

J.-F. D. - For example, the New York marathon had 150 participants in 1970. There were 5,000 in 75 and 50,000 today. In the 1990s, running became a mass phenomenon the world over, regardless of gender or social class. 50 million Europeans run once a week, the same number in the United States, Japan, China...

What are the origins of this phenomenon?

J.-F. D. - Running developed in two stages. Firstly, with the first "free runners" in the 70s, who were essentially rebels against the athletic establishment and no longer wanted to run in stadiums, but freely, in the streets. A bit like what happened at the same time with skiing and off-piste running. Then, in the 80s, senior executives began to run for health reasons, to fight excess weight and avoid heart problems. At the same time, women took up aerobics to keep fit and trim. It often starts like that: I'm in my forties, I've put on a bit of weight, I want to please my wife and vice versa, then I start running with friends.

What motivates runners?

J.-F. D. - It's hard to put into words this collective madness, which, incidentally, doesn't just affect running. The movement is more global. Some prefer walking, cycling, swimming or fitness. Everyone practices the sport that suits them best. There are several motivations: the body, health and well-being above all, because running is a great stress reliever. The development of stress in society has contributed to the growth of running. Taken up with work and family responsibilities, you slip on a pair of shorts and your mind escapes. You become a child again.

Is the idea of performance also behind this movement?

J.-F. D. - Once you've got over the training hurdle, a little machine gets going. I've done three kilometres, I'm going to do four, then ten. So, this performance aspect, a reflection of liberal ideology, may have been partly true in the 80s with the first senior executives who took up running. But today, all social classes run, even anti-liberal civil servants! Above all, it's a desire to free oneself, to surpass oneself, to compete with oneself.