It's Classified

We all have different reasons for running. What type of runner are you?

- Vanessa Williams

Runners are a complex and varied bunch.At any given club run, one could be thinking about a beautiful sunrise, one about smashing a PB, one about the latest pace watch, and another about days gone by. I’ve looked at the evidence, and come up with nine general categories. See which one you fit into…

WANNABE

It would appear you are the model running enthusiast: you’ve laminated your park run barcode, and the nifty card slots perfectly into your wallet; you often join the conversation on your running buddies’WhatsApp group; your running-club membership fee has been paid in advance; and you’ve subscribed to Runner’s world. Problem is, your running shoes are still sitting in their original box, never having been worn.

WHINGER

For you, running is away to escape your screaming kids, nagging husband, and that project deadline.You spend every training session complaining – to the unfortunate soul running next to you – about everything from the price of baked beans to that sly fox at the office who robbed you of your promotion; from those pesky cyclists who think they own the road,to your dog’s phantom pregnancy.

PORKY PIE (THAT’S COCKNEY RHYMING SLANG FOR ‘LIE’, IN CASE YOU WERE WONDERING…)