5 Emerging Running Trends for 2026
Here is a quick look at five key running trends that will emerge in 2026 based on what we saw at The Running Event trade show.
Just in case you didn’t read every one of the newsletters we sent in July, we are once again bringing you the most-clicked stories from the last four weeks. It’s our way of making sure that you don’t miss any of the content that your fellow runners/readers loved the most. Friends don’t let friends miss important running advice. Cheers!
If your hamstrings feel tighter than a guitar string, you’re not alone. They play a major role in running propulsion and stability, and that makes them prone to getting overworked. But before you bend over into a 10-minute toe touch, you should know the feeling of tightness might be a bit of a head fake. According to “10 Hamstring Stretches Your Tight, Achy Legs Will Love,” the root cause is often more complex than just too much running. Common culprits also include prolonged sitting and/or weakness in your glutes. The idea that weakness in and around the hamstrings can lead to tightness is exactly why you should know: “The best hamstring exercises for runners.” The guide explains that runners need strong hamstrings to avoid injury, as the muscles must be resilient enough to handle thousands of extensions and contractions during an average run. While the evidence that specific exercises will make you faster is mixed, strengthening them with moves like the Nordic Hamstring Curl has been shown to dramatically reduce injury rates. Of course, mobility work is still a fantastic tool in your arsenal. For guidance, “Tight Hamstrings Treatment: Yoga Poses, Foam Roller Exercises” suggests using a foam roller for 30 seconds to 2 minutes about three times a week or incorporating yoga poses like the extended triangle to keep the muscles loose. Finally, we are big fans of the new compression shorts we just purchased from CEP. On our first test run yesterday, the gentle compression liners provided both mental and physical support for our tweaky hamstrings. We found them in the “outlet” section of the CEP website where they were marked down by more than 30%. The shorts provide two big phone-sized pockets and the liners were light enough to keep us cool on a steamy day while still providing compression.
#HamstringTheory
Running a successful marathon can feel like building a house of cards – one wrong move early on can bring the whole thing crashing down in the final miles. To avoid this fate, the latest research suggests a disciplined race plan is paramount, starting with your pace: “Study Shows This Pacing Method Can Cut 30 Minutes Off Your Marathon Time.” An analysis of more than 146,000 runners revealed that those who ran an even split, with their second half within 10% of their first, finished 27 to 34 minutes faster on average. The study notes that the most common crash zone is between mile 18 to 22, and hitting the wall there could cost you a whopping 36 minutes. This devastating crash, often called “bonking,” is more than just fatigue. As explained in “How To Bonk-Proof Your Running” from our training partner Greg McMillan, one theory is that a “central governor” in your brain cuts power to your muscles when it perceives your effort as a threat. While the article discusses advanced training methods to build resilience, it notes that proper fueling is what usually holds off the bonk on race day. For that, you’ll want to hear Skratch Labs’ advice to: “Avoid These 4 Common Fueling Mistakes.” They recommend a simple fix for under-fueling: aim for 30-90g of carbohydrates per hour during a longer endurance race. For runners, this might look like sipping a high-carb drink or taking energy chews every 30-40 minutes. The key takeaway is that your best race depends on a trifecta of success: practice your pacing, respect the distance, and dial in your fueling strategy long before you step up to the starting line.
#BonkVoyage
Last night we woke up at 2:30 am and couldn’t get back to sleep. Ugh. And that’s not the first time insomnia hit us this week despite being physically active and limiting alcohol and caffeine. Is there a solution? As fate would have it, when we checked our email a few minutes after waking, we saw that Coach Trax had coincidentally (psychically?) shared this NYT story with us a few hours earlier: “I can’t sleep. Now what?” Some of the advice is what you’d expect – good sleep hygiene and habits – but some is provocative. For example, one sleep researcher says it is OK to fire up a TV show on your phone or iPad, as long as it is light and familiar, like the Office. Other advice includes curling and uncurling your toes or picturing a familiar place in great detail. As for what may have caused this short bout of insomnia last night, our sleep partners at Lagoon have provided a few ideas: “Seven Sneaky Habits That Quietly Wreck Your Sleep Quality.” They remind us that even if you’re physically exhausted and ready for sleep, your mind may still be too active for deep slumber.
#NightOfficeHours
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When you spend 94 hours running an ultra like the Cocodona 250, you learn a thing or two about foot care. That was one of the many topics we covered with pro ultra-runner Coree Woltering on the newest SMM Podcast (which you can listen to on Spotify or Apple Podcasts). Coree told us one secret to staying blister-free is picking the right socks, which got us thinking about how often they’re overshadowed by shoe selection. According to “The Ultimate Guide To Buying Running Socks,” material makes all the difference. The guide recommends avoiding cotton entirely when running, since it traps moisture, creating a perfect environment for chafing. Instead, you should consider advanced materials like merino wool, a top choice for its ability to regulate temperature, moisture, and odor. Other popular options include synthetic blends with polyester and nylon for their durability and moisture management. But great socks are only half the battle. Asics’ guide, “How to prevent blisters when running,” notes that friction is the primary culprit, often caused by poorly fitted shoes or socks. They suggest aiming for about half an inch of space between your big toe and the shoe’s front. That’s just one of many considerations to make when choosing a shoe, and for a more in-depth guide, head to our SMM site to read: “6 Tips on How to Find Your Next Pair of Running Shoes.”
#SockAndAwe
If you’re at the point of summer where all you want to do is kick back with a beach read and unwind, you’re in luck: the SMM team has been busy writing a trio of stories this week to offer a fresh perspective on training and racing. First, Brian Metzler explores the rebellious side of the sport in: “Take the Bridge: 10 years of Disruptive Cool at the Core of Running Culture.” It charts the rise of unsanctioned racing and founder Darcy Budworth’s vision to create events with a “disruptive, punk rock vibe” that value being present over chasing a pace. Next, Coach Trax tackles a more universal challenge in: “Summer Racing: 16 Tips to Mix it Up and Beat the Heat.” When a PR is off the table due to high temperatures, you can still have a great race by adjusting your goals, such as making it social, pacing a friend, or trying to “run from behind” to focus on passing competitors instead of hitting PRs. Finally, looking ahead to fall training, coach Greg McMillan answers a classic question in: “What Should Your Optimal Long Run Pace Be?” He explains why the old “1-2 minutes slower than marathon pace” rule doesn’t apply to everyone and shows that for some runners, the ideal pace might actually be at or faster than their marathon pace, with conversational effort being the truest guide.
#RequiredReading
A balanced runner is a fast and healthy runner. That’s according to a recent post from @madeleinenilssons on Instagram, where she shared 10 moves designed to build single-leg strength for runners. Included on the list are step-ups, reverse lunges, single-leg RDLs, and more, so if you’re looking to expand your gym routine, be sure to check out each clip.
