Why Distance Running Is Surging in Boone

source: magnific

Boone_Running

2:14

More than a million people applied to run the London Marathon this year, as running has become an increasingly popular way to manage stress worldwide.

Boone, North Carolina, is no exception, with distance running experiencing a surge in the High Country.

Reporter Abigail Eggers speaks with local runners to unpack what is driving the boom and why so many are lacing up to clear their heads.

Listen to the full audio story above, or read the complete transcript below.

Transcript:

ABIGAIL EGGERS: According to the BBC, more than 1.1 million people applied to run in the London Marathon in 2025.

This is a 200,000-person increase from the year prior. We are in a running boom. But why are people running more? I spoke with local Boone runners to find out why they do it.

Simon Jeffries is an App State student and plans to make a career out of designing running clothes. He has been running for most of his life and loves the community.

SIMON JEFFRIES: I really hate running alone, like severely, and that's honestly like kind of the only thing that's kept me in the sport for so long is just because I like the people around me, and it's why I'm trying to do my career in that. So yeah, like that is like the most fun part of the sport about it for me is the community and the folks in it. I don't actually enjoy running alone that much, to be honest. When you're reasonably good at something, it makes it a lot more fun, and the actual competition part of running, like track meets and running fast, is ridiculously fun. It's just all the work that's alone is the part that, oh, it takes some work to enjoy, to be honest. But I love running fast, and that's the best part of it.

ABIGAIL EGGERS: Simon Jeffries, student at App State. Ryan Lloyd is on the Watauga County rescue squad. He has been running for less time than Jeffries, but still has a similar love for the sport.

RYAN LLOYD: After my freshman year of college, I was back home in Raleigh, and I was really bored and looking for something to do. And my friend invited me to go for a run, and we kind of really got into it that way. I think I keep doing it because sometimes I really just, I need to do something that isn't just think and running is a good way to do that.

ABIGAIL EGGERS: That was Ryan Lloyd, Watauga County EMT. Maybe it’s the community, maybe it’s the endorphins, but there’s no doubt about it: people are running more. And Boone is no exception. Boone hosted the Mountaineer Ten Miler on Sunday and is home to the East Boone Running Club and Mountain Running Company.