Study No. 01Summer 2026Sport

What are we running after?

A comprehensive study on Parisian running culture

No matter the neighborhood or city, runners are everywhere. A 40% increase in race participants in one year, dozens of running clubs, shoe launches turned into cultural events... Running is huge, but no one takes the time to ask the questions that would help us understand it. What really motivates young people to take up running? What do they find in it culturally, and how does this activity strengthen their identity? And what role do brands play in this already crowded world? We went to talk to runners. And their answers open the doors to a playground that seems limitless.

00Table of contents

  1. 01How do you become a runner?
  2. 02What is a runner?
  3. 03Where is running culture heading?
  4. 04Navigating advice for brands in running culture

01Key figures

66%
of runners feel more attractive since they started running.
82%
of them wear their running clothes outside of exercise.
39%
felt like a runner for the first time during their first race.

02White paper

7 to 10 pages to read freely. The white paper covers chapter 01 and gives a taste of the study's editorial depth.

Cover — What are we running after?
PDF · 2.1 MB · 7 pages

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03Methodology

Sample
1129 respondents
Fieldwork period
June 2026
Format
10 interviews + public survey
Geographic coverage
Paris + France
Characteristics
Runners / 18-35
Rafael Janosevic
Author
Rafael Janosevic
Founder & cultural researcher, Obv

Obv.studio focuses on creating cultural clarity to help decision-makers understand the present and make a difference in the future.

Study published July 2026 · 60 pages
1 199 €PDF
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Purchase questions

What format do I receive the study in?

A high-resolution PDF, downloadable immediately and without limit from your account after payment.

What language is the study in?

English. The PDF + Presentation format can be delivered orally in French if you wish.

What does the enterprise licence cover?

Internal use and sharing within your company or organisation. Resale and public distribution are not permitted.

How does the presentation work?

A 30-min scoping call to align on your priorities, then a 2h debrief with Rafael, Q&A included. At your offices if you are in France, otherwise over video call. Scheduled within 7 days.

Can I cite the study?

Yes, citation is free and open, provided you credit the source. Citation formats are provided on this page.

Can I pay by bank transfer and get an invoice?

Yes. Bank transfer is available on request, and an invoice is sent automatically by email after purchase.

Can I get a refund?

As the study is a digital product delivered immediately, purchases are non-refundable once downloaded. A question before buying? Write to rafael@obv.studio.

How to cite this study

If you use these figures or analyses in an article, report or presentation, please use one of these formats.

Citation is free, as long as the source is credited.

Short citation
Source: obv.studio, study "What are we running after?" (July 2026).
Long citation (APA)
Janosevic, R. (2026). What are we running after?. obv.studio. obv.studio/shop/apres-quoi-court-on
Press format
According to an obv.studio study conducted among 1129 respondents in France (June 2026).