Inspired By Celebs, Side-Tracked by Mistakes: Britain’s Running Boom Unpacked

A quarter of Brits say celebrity stories like Jamie Laing’s and Spencer Matthews’ have inspired them to start running.

Nearly half of UK runners admit to making at least one classic ‘red flag’ mistake when starting, from overtraining to buying flashy gear too soon.

Samsung partners with Clinical Psychologist, Dr Julie Smith to show how the Galaxy Watch8 supports physical performance and mental wellbeing, helping runners track recovery, stress, sleep and more.

Running is on the rise across the UK, with participation in running clubs surging by 59% in 2024 alone (Strava). But while more people are lacing up their runners than ever, new research from Samsung reveals that many are still falling into familiar red flag traps, from skipping warm-ups to splurging on high-performance gear before building a routine.

In fact, more than 42% admit to making at least one ‘running red flag’ mistake, with many making the same early missteps: pushing through injury (32%), running too fast too soon (29%), or simply getting swept up in social media fuelled comparison (23%).

Red flags on the rise

These missteps aren’t just harmless habits however, they can lead to burnout, lost motivation or injury. Crucially, they get in the way of what more and more people are seeking from running as a hobby: mental clarity, community and a consistent wellbeing routine.

The most common mistakes include skipping warm-ups and cool-downs (42%), running solely to burn calories or lose weight (41%), and running through pain or ignoring injury signs (32%). Others admitted to buying expensive gear before building a habit (15%), or following rigid training plans that don’t fit real lives (18%).

Samsung’s new Galaxy Watch8 is designed to support a more balanced approach to fitness and wellness with features such as Running Coach[1]. Offering a tailored training program, real-time feedback and recovery insights, it helps runners stay consistent, motivated and injury-aware without overdoing it.

Running smarter not harder

According to Clinical Psychologist Dr Julie Smith, red flags are part of the process, but the key is knowing when to spot them and when to reset.

“Many people take up running to feel better mentally as well as physically — but it’s easy to fall into ‘all or nothing’ thinking,” says Clinical Psychologist Dr Julie Smith.

“They push themselves too hard, compare their progress to others, and when it doesn’t go perfectly, they give up. That mindset can take a real toll on both motivation and mental wellbeing. The Galaxy Watch8’s Running Coach helps people stay grounded with real-time support and structure, while also tracking key wellness indicators like sleep and heart rate variability, tools that empower runners to build sustainable habits that support both body and mind.”

A running revolution in the making

When it comes to what gets people lacing up their trainers, personal connections lead the way, with 37% saying they were inspired by a friend or family member’s transformation. Local running clubs and park runs (26%) are also powerful motivators, while social media continues to play a role, with 23% crediting running influencers on platforms like Instagram and TikTok for sparking their interest.

The research also found that mental wellbeing is now one of the top reasons that people start running. Over 52% of runners surveyed said they lace up primarily to improve their mood and 48% to reduce stress, rather than to hit traditional fitness goals, whilst 43% said they were looking for a sense of accomplishment or routine.

When running becomes a habit, the benefits are wide-reaching. Respondents said that running helped them to sleep better (51%), improve cardiovascular fitness (49%) and boost energy and focus during the day (42%).

Hands-on with the Galaxy Z Series and the Watch8 Series at Galaxy Experience Space

Samsung has opened its Galaxy Experience Space at Outernet London, offering consumers a hands-on experience of the newest Galaxy devices. Open to the public until 10^th August, visitors can expect to find interactive zones, exclusive talks, a deep dive into Korean culture, and a chance to win unmissable prizes.

For more information, please visit: https://www.samsung.com/uk/store/samsung-kx/discover/Galaxy-experience-space-london.

[1] Service only available with Galaxy Watch Ultra or later released Galaxy Watch Series. To use running coach program, user needs to take a running level test and get a level before starting the coach program. Compatible with smartphones running Android 11 or above with Google Mobile Services.