Running: which types it suits

Running needs a pair of shoes and the decision to walk out of the door. You choose the route, whether that's a lap of the local park or five kilometres along the river, and you choose a pace to match the day. Lots of runners log distance and pace on an app, and weekend running clubs have become one of the easiest ways to meet people in a new town. Most beginners start by mixing walking and running.

The people who stick with it often want time alone with their thoughts, or love running the same loop and seeing a slightly better number than last week. Some run with music or a podcast; others prefer nothing but the sound of their own footsteps. It particularly suits people who enjoy the small ritual of heading out at the same time every day, and who like a sport that asks for no booking, no partner and no kit beyond shoes.