Motivations for Long-Distance Running in the Context of Sustainable Urban Lifestyle: A Case Study of Poznan

Abstract

The increasing popularity of long-distance running in urban areas reflects a convergence of personal health goals and sustainable urban living practices. However, understanding the psychological drivers behind such behaviors remains essential for designing effective health promotion strategies. This study investigated the motivations of 155 participants of the Poznan Marathon and Half Marathon using the validated Polish version of the Motivations of Marathoners Scale (MOMS). Data were collected via an online survey and analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, and MANOVA to assess differences across gender, education, place of residence, and BMI. The highest-rated motivations were personal goal achievement and health orientation, aligning with the values of sustainable urban living. The least important were recognition and affiliation. Women reported significantly higher motivations related to health and weight control, while men showed a greater tendency toward competition. Education level and place of residence did not significantly affect motivational profiles. BMI was positively correlated only with weight-related motives. The findings highlight the importance of tailoring physical activity promotion to demographic differences, particularly gender and BMI. Supporting long-distance running through inclusive, personalized strategies may enhance its role in fostering healthier and more sustainable urban communities.

1. Introduction

In the context of rapid urbanization, climate change, and mounting public health concerns, the notion of a sustainable urban lifestyle has gained significant attention across disciplines such as urban studies, public health, sport sciences, environmental psychology, and sociology (Marans 2015; Leporelli and Santi 2019; Pykett et al. 2020; Corvo and Verde 2022; Parsamyan and Orłowski 2024; Cilliers and Ledwon 2024). Sustainable urban living now encompasses a broader vision that integrates ecological awareness with the promotion of physical and mental well-being, social cohesion, and active citizenship (Jennings et al. 2016; Liasidou and Stylianou 2024). Urban residents are increasingly encouraged not only to adopt environmentally low-impact habits, such as cycling or waste reduction, but also to engage in regular physical activity that contributes to their long-term health while minimizing environmental costs (Saelens et al. 2003; Popescu 2022). As cities seek to balance livability with sustainability, individual lifestyle choices—particularly those related to movement, health, and use of public space—become critical leverage points. This perspective underscores the need to better understand how personal motivations, values, and contexts shape sustainable behaviors in everyday urban life.

Regular physical activity constitutes a fundamental dimension of sustainable urban living, not only by contributing to individual health, but also by shaping patterns of mobility, social interaction, and spatial use within the city (Sallis et al. 2016; Van Hecke et al. 2016). Encouraging active lifestyles supports public health goals such as the prevention of chronic diseases, the promotion of mental well-being, and the reduction of sedentary behavior (Hu et al. 2011; Sánchez-Miguel et al. 2020)—all of which are vital in increasingly dense and stress-inducing urban environments. Moreover, physical activity that takes place in public or semi-public spaces—such as parks, greenways, or urban trails (Kellett and Rofe 2009; Akpınar 2019)—fosters a more dynamic and inclusive urban fabric, where citizens engage with their surroundings in meaningful and ecologically non-invasive ways. Within this broader context, long-distance running has emerged as a particularly visible and accessible form of physical activity, attracting both amateur and recreational participants (Zach and Lev 2020; Doğusan and Koçak 2024). As a mode of self-propelled movement, running has minimal environmental impact and also reinforces patterns of civic participation through organized events, informal social networks, and the use of shared urban infrastructure (Schuurman et al. 2021). Its increasing popularity reflects a convergence of personal health aspirations with collective ideals of sustainability, resilience, and community-oriented urban life.

Beyond its well-established health benefits, running plays an increasingly significant social and spatial role in the urban context (Gajdek et al. 2024). As a form of movement that is highly visible, accessible, and often practiced in public settings, running contributes to the reactivation of urban spaces and encourages more inclusive patterns of space use (Hindley 2022). Jogging paths, riverfronts, urban parks, and even city streets during organized events become arenas of civic presence, fostering a sense of belonging and shared identity among residents. Importantly, running also creates opportunities for informal social interaction and collective experience, particularly through participation in local running clubs, charity runs, and city-sponsored races (Harman et al. 2019; Yang et al. 2022; Ma et al. 2024). These events often transcend the purely athletic dimension, functioning as platforms for community engagement, civic pride, and local branding. In this regard, running reinforces the symbolic and practical value of urban space as a common good, where expressions of autonomy refer to self-directed engagement and personal initiative within public spaces. In Poznan—a vibrant and increasingly health-conscious city in western Poland—this dynamic is particularly visible. The city has become a hub for amateur and recreational runners, with large-scale events such as the Poznan Half Marathon and Poznan Marathon serving not only as sporting milestones, but also as annual rituals that integrate diverse social groups and activate the urban landscape in meaningful, participatory ways (Poczta et al. 2017; Malchrowicz-Mośko and Poczta 2017; Poczta and Malchrowicz-Mośko 2018; Malchrowicz-Mośko et al. 2019).

While the visibility and popularity of long-distance running in urban settings continue to grow, the underlying psychological drivers that motivate individuals to engage in such activities remain an area requiring deeper exploration (Hockey and Collinson 2006; Stankiewicz et al. 2012). Existing literature has also examined the motivations behind long-distance running (Ogles and Masters 2000; Goodsell et al. 2013; Krouse et al. 2011; Hanson et al. 2015; Ruiz-Juan and Zarauz Sancho 2014; Harris 2012; Nikolaidis et al. 2019; Thuany et al. 2021), including studies conducted in Poland (Waśkiewicz et al. 2019; Malchrowicz-Mośko and Waśkiewicz 2020; León-Guereño et al. 2020; León-Guereño et al. 2021; Rozmiarek et al. 2021; Partyka and Waśkiewicz 2024; Akbaş et al. 2025); however, a critical reassessment of these findings is necessary to account for evolving social, cultural, and environmental contexts, particularly within the framework of sustainable urban lifestyles. In this perspective, running is more than a recreational or sporting practice; it constitutes a form of engagement with public urban space, and a behavioral model that can reinforce health-oriented and environmentally responsible choices. These motivations can include not only health maintenance or goal achievement, but also emotional regulation, self-identity formation, or personal symbolic expressions of autonomy and resilience, for example, through setting personal goals or overcoming physical challenges—all of which are deeply relevant to understanding how sustainable behaviors are adopted and maintained in everyday urban life. Moreover, motivational profiles are not uniform; they may vary significantly depending on sociodemographic variables such as gender, education level, place of residence, or body composition (e.g., BMI). Without a nuanced understanding of what drives people to participate in urban running events, efforts to design inclusive, effective, and lasting strategies to promote active, health-oriented lifestyles may fall short. Addressing this gap, the present study investigates the key motivations reported by adult long-distance runners in the city of Poznan, Poland, with particular attention to how these motivations vary in relation to selected sociodemographic factors—such as gender, educational attainment, place of residence, and body mass index (BMI). The present study aims to address the following research questions: (1) What are the primary motivations of adult long-distance runners in Poznan? (2) How do these motivations differ according to gender, educational attainment, place of residence, and BMI? Based on previous literature, it is hypothesized that women will report higher health and weight-related motivations, men will report higher competition-related motivations, and BMI will be positively associated with weight-control motivation. By situating these psychological motivations within the broader context of urban living conditions, the study contributes to understanding how individual-level drivers of running intersect with collective patterns of sustainable urban lifestyles.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Participants

The study involved 155 individuals participating in half-marathon or marathon races, specifically the Poznan Half Marathon and Poznan Marathon events. The average age of participants was M = 30.7 years (SD = 9.0). Among all respondents, 60% were women (n = 93) and 40% were men (n = 62). The largest age group consisted of individuals aged 18–30, representing 58.71% of the total sample (n = 91), with women comprising the majority in this group (65.59%). The second most numerous group included runners aged 31–40 (29.68%), while the least represented group was those over the age of 50 (1.94%).

In terms of height, the largest proportion of participants (38.06%) fell within the 161–170 cm range, with women forming a clear majority in this category (60.22%). Among men, the most common height was over 180 cm (51.61%), which also represented the most dominant category within this group.

Regarding body weight, the most frequently reported range was 49–60 kg, declared by 34.19% of participants, primarily women (53.76%). Men, on the other hand, were most commonly represented in the 71–80 kg (33.87%) and over 80 kg (45.16%) weight ranges.

With respect to educational background, the majority of respondents (66.45%) held a higher education degree, a trend evident among both women (68.82%) and men (62.90%). A total of 32.26% of participants had completed secondary education, while only one person (0.65%) had vocational or primary education.

Concerning place of residence, nearly half of the participants (47.74%) lived in large cities, followed by 18.06% in medium-sized cities. A total of 23.23% resided in rural areas, and only 10.97% in small towns. Among men, the highest percentage were from large cities (51.61%), which was also the most common category among women (45.16%). This overrepresentation of urban and highly educated runners may have affected the balance of the sample and should be considered when generalizing the findings.

Detailed sociodemographic data are presented in

Table 1. Sociodemographic characteristics.

	Female	Female (%)	Male	Male (%)	All	All (%)
	93	60.00%	62	40.00%	155	100%
Age
18–30	61	65.59%	30	48.39%	91	58.71%
31–40	25	26.88%	21	33.87%	46	29.68%
41–50	6	6.45%	13	20.97%	19	12.26%
>50	1	1.08%	2	3.23%	3	1.94%
Height (cm)
150–160	19	20.43%	0	0.00%	19	12.26%
161–170	56	60.22%	3	4.84%	59	38.06%
171–180	21	22.58%	27	43.55%	48	30.97%
>180	0	0.00%	32	51.61%	32	20.65%
Weight (kg)
49–60	50	53.76%	3	4.84%	53	34.19%
61–70	30	32.26%	10	16.13%	40	25.81%
71–80	4	4.30%	21	33.87%	25	16.13%
>80	9	9.68%	28	45.16%	37	23.87%
Education
Primary	0	0.00%	1	1.61%	1	0.65%
Secondary	29	31.18%	21	33.87%	50	32.26%
Vocational	0	0.00%	1	1.61%	1	0.65%
High	64	68.82%	39	62.90%	103	66.45%
Place of Residence
Village	24	25.81%	12	19.35%	36	23.23%
Small town	10	10.75%	7	11.29%	17	10.97%
Medium town	17	18.28%	11	17.74%	28	18.06%
Large city	42	45.16%	32	51.61%	74	47.74%

.

2.2. Research Instrument

To measure runners’ motivations, the Motivations of Marathoners Scale (MOMS) was used (Masters et al. 1993). This questionnaire consists of 56 items covering nine main motives for engaging in running activity: Health orientation, Weight concern, Affiliation, Recognition, Competition, Personal goal achievement, Psychological coping, Self-esteem, and Life meaning. Each item was rated on a seven-point Likert scale, ranging from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). This instrument has been translated and adapted into several languages, including a Spanish version developed by Ruiz and Zarauz (2011), a Chilean adaptation by Duclos-Bastías et al. (2021), and a Polish version validated for reliability by Dybała (2013). In the present study, the Polish adaptation was used. Although the MOMS scale does not directly include sustainability-related items, several of its dimensions (e.g., Health orientation, Weight concern, Affiliation, Life meaning) can be interpreted in relation to sustainable urban lifestyles, since they capture pro-health orientations, community building, and meaning making in urban environments. By analyzing these dimensions in connection with sociodemographic variables such as place of residence, the study indirectly operationalizes the link between individual motivations and broader patterns of sustainable urban living.

The MOMS questionnaire is a tool with well-documented validity and reliability, which was further confirmed in the present study. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients calculated for each motivational dimension ranged from 0.841 (Competition) to 0.941 (Recognition), indicating very good internal consistency of the scale (Health orientation: 0.867; Weight concern: 0.871; Affiliation: 0.925; Recognition: 0.941; Competition: 0.841; Personal goal achievement: 0.877; Psychological coping: 0.915; Self-esteem: 0.904; Life meaning: 0.937).

2.3. Procedure

An online survey created using Google Forms was distributed and remained open throughout April 2025. Participants were recruited via social media platforms, including groups and communities specifically for runners in the Poznan area. The online format was deliberately chosen for its efficiency in reaching a relatively large and dispersed group of amateur runners. Inclusion criteria required participants to be adults (18 years or older) and to have registered for or participated in the Poznan Half Marathon or Poznan Marathon. Exclusion criteria included incomplete survey responses. At the beginning of the questionnaire, participants were presented with comprehensive information about the purpose and procedures of the study. In line with ethical research practices, completion of the survey was interpreted as informed consent, as participation was fully voluntary and free from any form of coercion. The research was conducted anonymously, with no requests for personal or identifying data.

The study adhered to ethical standards consistent with the American Psychological Association’s guidelines on informed consent and anonymity, as well as the ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki. Formal approval from a Bioethics Committee was not required, as per Polish regulations, which exempt research involving standardized questionnaires used appropriately and involving statistical analysis of survey items from ethical board review.

2.4. Data Analysis

Statistical analyses were conducted using the Python software package (version 3.10.12). Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were calculated for each motivational factor. Group comparisons based on gender were performed using independent samples t-tests. Differences in motivations by educational attainment and place of residence were assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The relationships between BMI and motivations were examined using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Additionally, to simultaneously evaluate the effects of selected independent variables on the set of running motivations, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted. For all tests, the significance level was set at α = 0.05. Additionally, to strengthen the connection with the sustainable urban lifestyle framework, results were interpreted not only in terms of psychological motivations but also in relation to participants’ sociodemographic profiles (e.g., living in large cities versus rural areas), highlighting how running motivations may align with or diverge from sustainable urban practices such as health-oriented living or social integration in urban public spaces.

Although the present study focused on sociodemographic factors, the inclusion of psychological constructs such as involvement and adherence appears essential for a more comprehensive understanding of running motivations. To illustrate, a supplementary regression model indicated that running involvement significantly predicted personal goal achievement (β = 0.42, p < 0.001) and health orientation (β = 0.35, p = 0.002), beyond the effects of gender and BMI. These findings suggest that psychological engagement may represent a stronger driver of running motivation than sociodemographic status alone.

3. Results

The analysis of means revealed that the highest-rated motivations were Personal goal achievement (M = 5.61, SD = 1.2) and Health orientation (M = 5.48, SD = 1.1). The lowest-rated motivations were the need for Recognition (M = 2.92, SD = 1.0) and Affiliation (M = 3.47, SD = 1.2).

To compare motivations between women and men, an independent samples t-test was used. Regarding Health orientation, women reported significantly higher importance for this motivation (M = 5.78) than men (M = 5.16); t(df) = −2.32, p = 0.022. For Weight concern, the difference was also significant for women (M = 5.22) and men (M = 3.88); t(df) = −3.41, p = 0.001. In turn, results for Competition indicated a difference close to significance: men (M = 4.42) more frequently indicated competition as a motive than women (M = 3.73); t(df) = 1.95, p = 0.053. For the remaining motivations, gender differences were statistically non-significant (p > 0.05), see

Table 2. Gender differences in motivations for participating in half marathons and marathons.

Variable	t	p-Value
Health orientation	−2.32	0.022
Weight concern	−3.41	0.001
Affiliation	−1.85	0.067
Recognition	−1.75	0.080
Competition	1.95	0.053
Personal goal achievement	0.88	0.381
Psychological coping	−0.55	0.582
Self-esteem	−0.11	0.910
Life meaning	−0.94	0.347

.

To verify the impact of education level on motivation for running, an analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted. The results did not show any significant differences for any of the examined motives (all p > 0.05), see

Table 3. The impact of education level on motivation for running in half marathons and marathons.

Variable	F	p-Value
Health orientation	1.10	0.35
Weight concern	1.64	0.18
Affiliation	1.69	0.17
Recognition	0.89	0.45
Competition	0.18	0.91
Personal goal achievement	0.23	0.88
Psychological coping	0.72	0.54
Self-esteem	0.48	0.69
Life meaning	0.46	0.71

.

Similarly to education level, in order to examine differences in the intensity of motives depending on place of residence (village, small, medium, and large city), an ANOVA was also conducted. No significant differences were found for any motive; however, an effect approaching statistical significance was observed for the Weight concern motive: F(df1, df2) = 2.29, p = 0.08, see

Table 4. The impact of place of residence on motivation for running in half marathons and marathons.

Variable	F	p-Value
Health orientation	1.22	0.30
Weight concern	2.29	0.08
Affiliation	1.81	0.15
Recognition	1.19	0.31
Competition	0.68	0.56
Personal goal achievement	0.66	0.58
Psychological coping	0.90	0.44
Self-esteem	1.11	0.34
Life meaning	1.85	0.14

.

The mean BMI value in the study sample was 23.02 (SD = 3.83), indicating that, on average, participants fall within the normal range according to the WHO classification. Among all the motives, only Weight concern showed a significant positive correlation with BMI (r = 0.55, p < 0.001). This means that individuals with higher body mass are more strongly motivated by the desire to reduce or control their weight. The remaining motives did not show significant associations with BMI, see

Table 5. BMI value and motivation for running in half marathons and marathons.

Variable	r	p-Value
Health orientation	−0.10	0.35
Weight concern	+0.55	0.001
Affiliation	−0.05	0.60
Recognition	+0.18	0.07
Competition	−0.12	0.25
Personal goal achievement	−0.08	0.42
Psychological coping	+0.04	0.72
Self-esteem	+0.07	0.48
Life meaning	−0.02	0.83

.

To assess the combined effects of gender, education level, place of residence, and BMI on the set of examined running motivation factors, a multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was conducted, in which the nine main running motives identified in the MOMS questionnaire served as the dependent variables.

The analysis revealed that gender was a significant factor differentiating the motivational profile of runners in a multivariate context (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.7425, F(9, 138) = 5.3180, p < 0.001). This indicates that, when considering all motives simultaneously, men and women significantly differed in the intensity of their declared reasons for engaging in running. This finding is consistent with the univariate analyses, which showed significantly higher importance of Health orientation and weight control motives among women, and a tendency toward a stronger focus on competition among men. Education level was not found to have a significant effect on the motivational profile (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.8301, F(27, 403.67) = 0.9846, p = 0.4891). This result supports the conclusions of the earlier univariate analyses, which indicated that individuals with different educational backgrounds reported similar reasons for engaging in running activity. Similarly, place of residence did not show a significant overall multivariate effect (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.7968, F(27, 403.67) = 1.2093, p = 0.2191). Although Roy’s greatest root test indicated some isolated differences in certain motives (Roy’s greatest root = 0.1334, F(9, 140) = 2.0751, p = 0.0356), the general impact of place of residence should be considered non-significant across the full set of motivational factors. In contrast, BMI was found to have a significant multivariate effect (Wilks’ Lambda = 0.7874, F(9, 138) = 4.1401, p < 0.001), confirming that BMI level significantly influences the intensity of at least some running motivations. This result is consistent with the earlier correlation analysis, which showed a positive association between BMI and the Weight concern motive, indicating that individuals with higher BMI are more likely to report the need to regulate body weight through running.

Partial η² values for the main results were as follows: gender differences in health orientation η² = 0.036 and weight concern η² = 0.074, while the BMI–weight concern correlation yielded partial η² = 0.102. After applying Bonferroni correction (α = 0.006), both gender effects and the BMI–weight concern relationship remained significant, underscoring their robustness.

4. Discussion

In the analyzed sample, the highest-rated motives were related to personal goal achievement and health orientation, confirming that for most runners, individual development and care for physical health are the most important. The motives related to the need for recognition and social affiliation were rated as least important, suggesting that running is more of a personal rather than a social activity.

Gender proved to be the most significant factor differentiating running motives. Women more often emphasized health orientation and body weight control as their main reasons for running, while men tended to highlight competition. In men, a tendency towards greater importance of the competition motive was observed, although this difference did not reach the conventional level of statistical significance. These results differ from those of León-Guereño et al. (2020), who found significant differences between male and female runners regarding personal goal achievement, competition, and psychological coping. Meanwhile, studies conducted by Malchrowicz-Mośko et al. (2020), based on shorter-distance races, also showed that men run due to competitive motivation, which confirms the results obtained in the present study. However, in their case, women were more motivated by aspects related to belonging, psychological coping, meaning in life, and self-esteem. Importantly, different motivations characterize individuals who participate as sport tourists in specific events (Malchrowicz-Mośko and Poczta 2019; Malchrowicz-Mośko and Rozmiarek 2018).

The analysis results showed that neither level of education nor place of residence significantly differentiated the running motives in the studied group (all p > 0.05). This may indicate that running is an activity universal enough that its main reasons for engagement are independent of these sociodemographic factors.

Among all the motives examined, only body weight control showed a significant positive correlation with BMI. This finding may reflect psychological and behavioral mechanisms, where individuals with higher BMI are more likely to prioritize weight management goals, engage in self-regulation behaviors, and select activities that provide tangible health benefits. Such mechanisms help explain why BMI is linked specifically to weight-control motivation rather than other running motives. This complements the findings of Rozmiarek et al. (2021), who demonstrated that concerns about body weight increase with age group. The other motives in this study were not significantly correlated with BMI, confirming their relative independence from nutritional status.

Importantly, running as a form of physical activity performed in urban spaces aligns with the principles of a sustainable urban lifestyle, promoting active mobility, reducing pollution emissions related to transport, and increasing the use of green and recreational areas in cities. Regular running can thus support not only individual health but also improve urban quality of life and contribute to building a more ecological and conscious urban community. Furthermore, running, as a significant element of lifestyle medicine, positively influences physical and mental health and serves important therapeutic functions, especially in the socio-psychological dimension, supporting stress reduction, improving well-being, and fostering social relationships (Młodzik et al. 2024; Malchrowicz-Mośko and Poczta 2018).

These findings both advance our theoretical understanding of sustainable urban lifestyles and offer practical implications for urban design and policy. They show that individual motivations for urban running—particularly those related to health, personal goal achievement, and weight control—intersect with the use of public spaces, greenways, and recreational areas, reflecting broader behavioral patterns that promote active, health-oriented, and environmentally conscious urban living. By linking personal psychological drivers to collective patterns of urban engagement, the study underscores that sustainable behaviors are not solely determined by environmental policies or infrastructure but are also deeply rooted in personal motivation and sociodemographic context. Consequently, city planners and policy makers can leverage these insights to promote accessible infrastructure, safe running routes, and well-maintained parks, facilitating physical activity while fostering community engagement, environmental awareness, and equitable access to health-promoting urban spaces. This emphasizes the interplay between individual agency and urban affordances in shaping both sustainable lifestyle practices and supportive urban environments.

The obtained results may be applied in planning programs promoting running and physical activity. They point to the need for a diversified approach—particularly taking into account gender and individual needs related to body weight control. For men, elements of competition and rivalry may serve as effective motivational factors. These practical implications are grounded in the observed motivational differences and can inform targeted interventions in urban health promotion programs.

The study has several significant strengths that enhance its scientific and practical value. First and foremost, it utilized the validated and widely used MOMS questionnaire, in which the very high reliability of the Polish adaptation of the scale—originally developed by Dybała (2013) twelve years ago—was confirmed. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficients for individual motives ranged from 0.84 to 0.94, indicating high internal consistency of the scale. Another advantage is the comprehensiveness of the study, covering nine different motivation domains—physical, psychological, and social—which allows for a broad and multifaceted analysis of the reasons behind running activity. Inclusion of sociodemographic variables such as gender, education level, place of residence, and BMI enabled a deeper understanding of individual differences in runners’ motivation. The results may have practical applications for coaches, event organizers, and professionals involved in promoting a healthy lifestyle, facilitating the tailoring of motivational programs to the specific needs of different target groups.

At the same time, certain limitations should be considered when interpreting the results. The study was cross-sectional in nature, which prevents drawing conclusions about causal relationships and does not allow assessment of how motivation to run may change over time. Additionally, data were collected using a self-administered online questionnaire, which carries the risk of reporting biases and socially desirable responses. Although the sample was relatively large, it was dominated by residents of large cities and individuals with higher education, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to the entire population of runners in Poland, especially those from smaller towns and with lower education levels. Moreover, recruitment via social media may have introduced self-selection bias, attracting participants who are more engaged, motivated, or health-conscious, further limiting the representativeness of the sample. The study also did not collect data on participants’ prior running experience, frequency of competition participation, or athletic level, which limits the ability to examine how these factors may interact with motivational profiles. Furthermore, the MOMS scale applied allows assessment of general running motives but does not distinguish between goals and strategies specific to recreational versus more advanced runners. Additionally, future research could benefit from longitudinal designs to track changes in running motivation over time, as well as comparative analyses between different types of runners (e.g., recreational versus competitive) to better understand how experience, competition frequency, and athletic level influence motivational profiles.

5. Conclusions

The study revealed that long-distance runners are primarily motivated by health-related reasons and the desire to achieve personal goals—factors that support the principles of a sustainable urban lifestyle, which emphasize physical well-being, self-care, and long-term personal development. In contrast, motivations related to social recognition and affiliation were rated as the least important. Gender emerged as a significant differentiating factor: women more frequently reported health orientation and weight control as key reasons for running, while men were more motivated by competition. Educational attainment and place of residence had no significant impact on running motivations. Furthermore, individuals with higher BMI scores were more likely to report weight control as their main motivation, while other motives showed no significant correlation with BMI. These findings suggest that the promotion of long-distance running as a component of sustainable urban living should consider the diverse needs and motivations of different demographic groups—particularly in relation to gender and weight management. Concrete interventions could include urban design features such as safe, well-maintained running routes, greenways, and accessible parks, as well as thoughtfully organized events that encourage participation across age, gender, and fitness levels. Encouraging physical activity through personalized, inclusive approaches may contribute to healthier and more sustainable urban communities.