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Running is a terrestrial locomotion technique that allows humans and other animals to move quickly on foot. Running is a gait which includes an aerial phase in which all of the feet are elevated above the ground (though there are exceptions). In contrast to walking, where one foot is usually on the ground, the legs are largely straight, and the center of gravity vaults over the stance leg or legs in an inverted pendulum pattern, the center of gravity vaults over the stance leg or legs in an inverted pendulum fashion.

Changes in kinetic and potential energy during a stride occur concurrently in a running body, with energy storage done by springy tendons and passive muscle flexibility, according to spring-mass mechanics. Running can apply to a range of different speeds, from jogging to sprinting.

Running has been linked to better health and longevity in humans.

Human ancestors are thought to have gained the capacity to run large distances some 2.6 million years ago, most likely to hunt animals. Religious festivals in several locations spawned competitive running. Competitive racing dates back to the Tailteann Games in Ireland, which took place between 632 and 1171 BCE, and the first known Olympic Games in 776 BCE. Running has been called the most accessible sport on the planet.

Human running is assumed to have originated from the capacity of the ape-like Australopithecus, an early predecessor of humans, to walk erect on two legs at least four and a half million years ago.

Human features such as the nuchal ligament, abundant sweat glands, the Achilles tendons, big knee joints, and muscular glutei maximi were most likely changes caused by persistence hunting of animals, the activity of following and chasing until a prey is too exhausted to flee, succumbing to “chase myopathy” (Sears 2001), and that human features such as the nuchal ligament, abundant sweat glands, the Achilles tendons, big knee joints, and muscular glutei maximi were changes (Bramble & Lieberman 2004, et al.).

The notion was originally developed based on comparing physiological facts and animal natural behaviors when running, indicating that this activity may be a good hunting approach. This possibility was further supported by observations of modern-day hunting practices (Carrier et al. 1984). According to Sears (p. 12), a scientific analysis of the Nariokotome Skeleton (Walker & Leakey 1993) gave more evidence for the Carrier theory.

Religious festivals spawned competitive running in places like Greece, Egypt, Asia, and Africa’s East African Rift. The Tailteann Games, an Irish sports festival dedicated to the goddess Tailtiu, first took place in 1829 BCE and is one of the first recordings of competitive running. Though the earliest known games took place in 776 BCE, the origins of the Olympics and Marathon racing are steeped in myth and folklore. Running may be traced back to these games in 776 BCE in Ancient Greece.

When the plantar area of the foot makes initial contact with the ground, this is known as footstrike. Forefoot, midfoot, and heel strike types are all common footstrike kinds. These are distinguished by initial contact of the ball of the foot, simultaneous contact of the ball and heel of the foot, and heel of the foot, respectively. The hip joint is undergoing extension during this phase after being in maximum flexion during the preceding swing phase. On footstrike, the knee joint should be bent and the ankle should be somewhat in front of the body for optimal force absorption.

As forces from first contact are dampened throughout the lower extremities, the absorption phase begins with footstrike. Due to vertical propulsion from the toe-off during a prior gait cycle, absorption of forces continues as the body transitions from footstrike to midstance.

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