Running Sucks: The Weakly

Why should you care about running culture?

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:20:37 GMT

Read on for my latest hot take on Running Culture™, but first I want to show you the things that I’m doing in New York this week.

It’s time for the NYC Marathon.

It’s that time of year. It’s the NYC Marathon – the greatest event in the marathon runner’s calendar. Yes, nobody can get a bib, and there are too many events, but the pizza is delicious and plentiful, and the people in attendance on both sides of the barrier are absolutely scrumptious.

I’ll be staying at the rabbit Clubhouse at the Walker Hotel in Tribeca. It’s the perfect home base from which to see the city. Do drop me a line if you want to meet me there for a coffee or a bite.

On Friday afternoon, I’ll be leading a creative session at the Clubhouse. Creativity is one of two cultural strands that I’m pulling on this week. I’m also hosting a panel with four brilliant NYC-based creatives at the Rec Room on Thursday afternoon, you see.

The other half of what I’m doing concerns my diaspora. First, on Friday evening, I’ll be hosting a celebratory conversation around the South Asian running community in New York, and on Saturday morning, I am honored to lead the inaugural Bengalis of New York 5K run.

Thu 29 Oct

5:00pm – Running Creatives @ Rec Room, 301 Grand St [SIGN UP]

Fri 30 Oct

7:00am – Crossing Cultures @ White Noise Coffee, 829 11th Avenue
4:00pm – Creative Session @ rabbit Clubhouse, 77 Walker St [SIGN UP]
6:30pm – South Asians in NYC @ Perfect Stride, 32 Union Sq [SIGN UP]

Sat 31 Oct

9:45am – Bengalis of New York 5K @ Hello Bangladesh, Astoria [SIGN UP]

Go check out Marathon-Weekend.com for all the info in one place. I met the founder Michel in Boston, and he’s worked really hard to make this the best platform for runners looking for what to do and when.

Running Sucks on Marathon Weekend

I’ll be in a couple hundred other places over the week. Come find me, and I may be able to bestow some Running Sucks merch onto your good person.

Also get in touch if you want to jump the line with me at MoMA (half the days are taken already, so chop chop) or watch the Arsenal match with me on Sunday. More info on my IG, if that’s your vibe.

Last week on Running Sucks

You really loved last week’s piece on Pit Lane Shakeout. I got so many more messages and texts than normal about it. Maybe it’s the F1 effect. Maybe it’s how human the story is.

Go read it if you haven’t yet, and don’t forget to click the heart at the bottom. It really helps other people find my work. (That’s the algorithm that everyone talks about.)

Another place to chat MORE?

There’s a new chat function that I’m keen to try out. Very early on in the Running Sucks journey, I started a Discord channel. It’s still there, with probably around 30 people still in it, but now Substack has introduced more complex features – similar to Discord’s channels – in the Chat function.

I think this is a pretty cool community. Tuned in, thoughtful, open to sharing with each other. I have often been led to new things via conversations that I’ve had with some of you. Maybe it’s time to try this again.

Please leave a comment about what Chat channels you would want, and I’ll make them!

How to run a sub-3 hour marathon by Dan Dalton

I had the pleasure of meeting earlier this year when I popped up to Leeds from London en route to my university reunion weekend, but I picked up on his work a year earlier. I love writing, and I do a lot of it, but my real superpower is being able to spot a more talented writer a mile off. Dan is certainly that.

Sadly, he’s been somewhat sporadic with his writing on this year (for reasons you’ll discover when you read this piece), but it was worth the wait. Take a dive into his older work as well. It’s good stuff.

tangents.

How to run a sub-3 hour marathon

Here’s how it will go: For starters you’ll lose your job…

5 days ago · 41 likes · 13 comments · Dan Dalton

Conversations about running culture

A new ultra-glossy podcast on run culture just launched. It’s called Running Mouths and it’s from Gordon Clark, who I profiled back in 2023.

Gordon and I sat down and discussed the LA running scene for almost 3hrs back then, so this episode being 2hrs long isn’t a surprise. There are three guests, though, so it’s more like three concurrent 40-minute episodes of deep, esoteric conversation around modern running.

Why do YOU run races?

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 15:09:33 GMT

NYC! Next week!

The rabbit x Running Sucks event was so good in Chamonix that we’re officially running it back in New York City.

The rabbit Clubhouse was one of the most talked about locations at the UTMB in August. The calm was part of it but the community-oriented programming was key. I’m really pleased to be part of rabbit’s schedule again in Tribeca next week.

rabbit x Running Sucks in NYC

Directly after the rabbit events, I’ll be zooming up to Union Square for a special event celebrating the South Asian community. Please come! There will be samosas, beer, and good conversation that you likely haven’t had before.

South Asians in NYC

Expect the full rundown of places to find me in NYC in next Monday’s newsletter. Yes, there’s more.

San Francisco! Last week!

I was in SF last week.

First I was invited to chat with Vivek Gowri in front of some very cool people at SF Run Co. It’s a historic store in Mill Valley, CA — home to some of the best trail running in the USA. Signed copies of This is Running are available at SFRC!

Just before heading back to LA, I joined Katie Douglas of Running Wylder as she organized a run along Sunset Dunes to help stop the two miles of pedestrianized, beach-adjacent road from being turned back into something for cars.

Katie’s was the first running store to carry my book, and she’s still doing that.

Here are a couple of pics. Get the full gallery from my excursion over on IG.

Get your copy of This is Running (my book)

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Think Different

Long-time readers of this newsletter know that I prefer the underdog story to that of the big guns. Sure, I interviewed Kilian Jornet, but it was the story about Preston Hopkins that resonated with me the most, and with a lot of you.

I get prominent athletes in my inbox all the time. It’s the job of their sponsors to try and get some coverage for the brand using the athletes they pay. Sometimes the pitches are from a thoughtful, engaged publicist, but they’re usually so far off the mark. I’ll take a look and see if I can see a story.

That was the case for Ben Dhiman earlier this year, of course. His watch sponsor Amazfit facilitated my 15 minutes of video time, but we I had a different angle on his historic UTMB win to all by Ultra Running Magazine. Respect to them.

When the email about Ryan Montgomery landed in my inbox with the subject, “The Fastest American Runner in Western States History,” it got my attention enough to think about what else interested me about Ultra Ryan.

However, as runners, we do still care about an elite runner’s human perspective on their performance and progress, so here’s a little extra from my chat with Ryan Montgomery about how his running has progressed over the past decade. (And it’s really cool.)

What have you learned over 10 years of running ultras?

The Curious Dichotomy of Running and Technology

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 21:55:44 GMT

SF & NYC

I will be traveling up to San Francisco Running Company this week for a Friday happy hour conversation with owner If you’re in Mill Valley, please stop by for that.

At the end of October, I’ll be in New York City. I’ll be staying at the rabbit Clubhouse in Tribeca. My event there will be announced very soon, I have no doubt.

But you may have seen…

Our new era of corporate running

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 16:53:21 GMT

Last week, I did two things that were slightly different for me and incredibly rewarding:

The University of Portland invited me to talk about launching a running product with a bunch of very tuned-in marketing graduate students.
I spoke at the Burbank Book Festival about transforming research into narrative non-fiction.

The vast majority of the events that…

I watch a lot of TV

Raziq Rauf — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 16:02:05 GMT

If you’re in Burbank this weekend, come see me talk about my writing process at the Burbank Book Festival. I’m on a panel on Saturday morning at 10.15am titled, ‘Turning Research into Great Reading.’

A whole host of local authors are going to be featured at the Buena Vista Branch Library, so if you are nearby, come on down. I’ll be talking about how I’ve…

We care a lot, but about what?

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 16:51:02 GMT

E is for the Environment

The issue of sustainability and how brands show up for the planet since UTMB, where there was news of a glacial flood in Nepal at the exact same moment of a deluge of big brands branding the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc resort. That included the boisterous, self-appointedly radical Nike ACG helicoptering a pickle juice vending machine up …

What to do once you poop your pants

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 17:47:34 GMT

It’s been a fun week of getting back on schedule after returning home from my extended trip. I went for a couple of runs, announced an appearance at Burbank Book Festival, and was a guest speaker at the Pasadena Rotary.

I thought it might’ve been a challenge to talk about running to a room filled with non-runners, but it turned out that half the room wer…

Are influencers really that important?

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 07 Sep 2026 20:33:57 GMT

Last week on Running Sucks

I got some world exclusive quotes from UTMB 2026 winner Ben Dhiman about his Indian heritage. Go and read it if you haven’t yet.

Thanks again to Amazfit for helping to schedule that time with Ben.

Are influencers really that important?

Ask any of the publicists in my inbox: I’m not really susceptible to being sold things. That mea…

The common feature of the best brand activations in Chamonix

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 14:19:44 GMT

U is for UTMB, of course

I spent the last week in Chamonix in the French Alps. I was experiencing the glory of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc for the first time, and it truly was glorious.

Everything from spotting the white peak of Mont Blanc appearing through an alleyway or across a vista as I turned a corner to the food to seeing the first non-white winner of UTMB since the very first edition on Saturday afternoon.

All week, Ben Dhiman winning the 100-mile event was top of my conversation of what I hoped to happen. A man with heritage from the Indian subcontinent winning the most prestigious race on the trail calendar? Yes. Please.

And then he did it. What a moment it was seeing him cross the finish line at 2:04pm on Saturday. Just like Rachel Entrekin winning Cocodona, however, it doesn’t mean we’ve solved everything. It doesn’t mean we’ve solved anything.

After 48 hours of social posts and news stories about Ben Dhiman winning UTMB, is anyone other than me celebrating the biggest race in the trail-ultra calendar being won by a man of South Asian heritage? I haven’t seen any. If you have, please tell me because I want to be friends with them.

A huge part of that is that I haven’t actually seen Ben discuss his heritage in interviews. He’s widely celebrated as a boy from Cincinnati who moved to France with his wife and got this deep into mountain running partly due to French employment laws leaving him redundant for two years.

Maybe that lack of discussion comes from a lack of interest or knowledge from the interviewers, but it might also come from within. Maybe Ben simply wants to be known as the winner of UTMB. Maybe as an American. Maybe as an Ohioan. Primarily as the man who finished running around Mont Blanc 81 minutes faster than anyone else ever has. 7% faster? Crazy fast.

As a boy from northeast London, I primarily used to fall asleep dreaming of scoring last-minute winners for current Premier League champions Arsenal. Helping my parents’ home nation qualify for the World Cup wasn’t my priority, even though I knew that would be cool.

In the same way, South Asian representation in running wasn’t always a focus for me. I used to just run a lot. Sure, I was the only Bangladeshi at run club 99.9% of the time, but I wasn’t really thinking about it because there were plenty of other immigrant kids. More recently, I’ve been somewhat radicalized by seeing how the running industry sausage is made (and who exactly makes it).

Searching for someone, anyone who looks like me Western States, The Running Event, TrailCon, and, most recently, the Global Majority Meet-Up in Chamonix has kept flipping the same switch for me. And I’ve been party to increasing numbers of conversations to know that I’m not alone in that.

I would love to primarily be known as the Substack guy who wrote a running book, and that people enjoyed the book, and that the book was even good enough to be stocked by the best department store in the world. That stuff doesn’t put people off as much as being the guy relentlessly writing about getting more South Asian representation in the running world.

Personally, I love it when other people are organizing something that I can join in with. For example, there was a Global Majority Meet-Up1 organized by Sabrina Pace-Humphreys who founded the UK charity, Black Trail Runners2. It’s so great that UTMB made space for such a wonderful event.

I wrote about the Black experience in Chamonix back in March 2025, so I knew that this gathering was an excellent opportunity to push the conversation along. However, upon arriving, I found that I really didn’t see myself among the 100 or so attendees. A similar sentiment to Sabrina’s in her film, We Are Here3.

Take a moment to consider how many South Asian-origin athletes represent the British or American Olympic teams. In 2026, I really, really should not be one of the very first South Asian authors of a running book. I want there to be 100 more so it ceases to even be something to mention.

In my book, I outline the inexorable rise of ultramarathoning in China, and there was a huge, visible East Asian contingent in Chamonix for all of UTMB week, so I was surprised to see even fewer people from that section of the Global Majority at the meet-up.

When I pointed out on IG that I felt like a statistical minority even at a Global Majority Meet-Up, I received a few slightly defensive responses reminiscent of when I’ve highlighted the incredibly white demographic stats in trail running. Yes, there may have been another couple of South Asian people at the meetup, but I would maintain my position that 3% rather than 1% is far from a success in representation of South Asian people, who make up 30% of the Global Majority.

For clarity, I’d have liked 30% of the Global Majority Meet-Up at UTMB to be South Asian, not 3%. I’m certain you would like that as well.

I care much more about working together to achieve that success in parity. My dream would be to be actively invited to something like that. Having a sign-up link is a great middle ground of being able to say it was open to everybody, but I believe directly inviting people to a party is the best practice, and the onus is on the most powerful: UTMB.

One method – and maybe they did do this (which makes the situation worse) – if UTMB invited the gazillions of brands in attendance to send someone to the event, it would be a great start. If the brand doesn’t employ anyone from the Global Majority or simply doesn’t care, that says a lot. Word will spread one way or the other.

For me, a large issue is that I don’t really believe that intersectionality exists. And if that makes you bristle: good. I want it to change.

Some believe that a lot of the big names who rise to the top of campaigning for diversity, equity, and inclusion are largely out to make a name (and money) for themselves. I have a slightly kinder view where many really only think about uplifting others who are exactly like themselves.

When I see how women and Black people have climbed the closest, but still haven’t achieved anything approaching true equity despite the years of constant campaigning, I know that my kinfolk are far behind. It’s one of the reasons why I write about those topics so frequently. I see us all as having the same fight, and I don’t want any of us to be behind. Regardless, reciprocation and unity among allies pulling for the same thing – intersectionally or as part of a Global Majority – would be magnificent and helpful, but feels at least a half-step away.

Like I said: this win doesn’t mean that we’ve solved anything, but I’d love to see more progress next year. Maybe Ben Dhiman’s record-breaking effort can be the next catalyst.

Thank you, HOKA

Eternal thanks to Hoka for getting me on that finish line VIP platform to see that historic moment. What a view.

A photo that I took on my phone of Ben Dhiman winning the UTMB 100-miler in Chamonix. There are loads more photos on my IG, if you like photos.

Chamonix was taken over by UTMB and its title sponsor, Hoka. With the influx of 100,000 visitors, I fully understand the Mayor’s promise to make it better for residents. It’s a local race that’s been commercialized and co-opted by the world.

Hoka in particular had their bright blue, yellow, and orange fingerprints on seemingly every part of the city. From a brand strategy perspective (one that I love), it was a masterpiece. Read this from for an excellent rundown. Did I see some of the photos in this article being taken? Yes, I did.

PEOPLE BRANDS AND THINGS

They didn’t just sponsor a race - they took over a town.

We agree - sometimes, you really do have to see it to believe it…

2 months ago · 12 likes · 1 comment

The common feature of the best brand activations in Chamonix

As I mentioned, Chamonix was 100% Hoka-town last week, but four other brands managed to stick out to me, and they all had one thing in common.

First, there was the rabbit Clubhouse with Halo, with its slap bang centre ville location and carefully-curated programming, it was a dream to host a book event there. Thanks so much to the readers who came down! It was so lovely to meet you.

Mont Blanc, Neurodiversity, and Avenged Sevenfold

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 24 Aug 2026 12:13:39 GMT

I’m writing this from Heathrow Airport, en route to Chamonix, Mont Blanc, Cham, whatever the old heads call it. It’s my first time, and I’m very excited to see what the fuss is about.

Things I’m looking forward to:

Hoka very kindly showing me the ropes
Meeting a lot of friends in an unfamiliar place
Running on the track with Mont Blanc as a backdrop
Hosting …

Which new-wave running brand has broken through into daily lifestyle

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 14:04:18 GMT

London has cooked my brain

I’ve not written a long-read interview for over two months now. Yes, first I was busy on the road promoting my book (decent excuse), and then I watched every match of the World Cup with my son (excellent excuse), but I had planned to get back to it in August.

My next piece with Camille Herron has been transcribed and has been in…

G is for Gratitude

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 10 Aug 2026 14:06:17 GMT

I’ve got THREE in-person events coming up over the next few weeks, and they’re all exciting in their own special way.

1. Chamonix, cheese, creativity

The newest one is a wine and cheese reception in Chamonix with rabbit. I’ll be giving a presentation on the links between running and creativity, and you can get a copy of my book to spill some wine and/or c…

H is for Hot, Hot Heat

Raziq Rauf — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 08:23:44 GMT

I read something the other day (I failed to note it down) about how we dislike winter because we’re hard-wired during childhood to love the freedom of summer. My hot, somewhat sweaty take is that I actively dislike summer. Whether I’m in L.A. or London, it’s simply too much weather for me. I like being outdoors but dislike sunscreen so the searing sunsh…

When opportunity knocks

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:05:44 GMT

While I’m in the UK, I’m really trying to make the most of my time over here. I have no plans to be back before next summer, and the past few years, with deaths, breakups, and closures, I try to take the opportunities in front of me. It’s been a fulfilling way to live. I recommend it.

Events

Thanks to all who came to my event with Hattie in Stoke Newingto…

Josh Kerr, Selfridges, and Chamonix

Raziq Rauf — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 12:05:05 GMT

An event in London on Thursday

My Love Affair... WITH RUNNING: Raziq Rauf and Hattie Williams

Thursday, July 23 | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Stoke Newington Bookshop
159 Stoke Newington High Street
London N16 0NY

This Thursday, I’ll be in conversation with at Stoke Newington Bookshop, and we’ll be talking about writing books about running from both a fiction and non-…

It's all about the people

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 14:35:35 GMT

Today is the 26th anniversary of me being a journalist.

I was a fresh-faced 17-year-old whose primary motivation was meeting the bands he was falling in love with, but the secondary bonus of free concert tickets and advance access to new albums was mighty appealing.

The band in question back on the 13th of July of the year 2000 was My Vitriol. I’d heard t…

C is for Community. C is for Culture.

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 29 Jun 2026 19:04:04 GMT

It’s been one heck of a week. Yesterday, I ran the Abbot Kinney mile race twice. First with my eldest, and then with my dog. Exhausting! And that was after finding myself in Olympic Valley in Palisades Tahoe earlier this week for TrailCon – the industry event between Broken Arrow and Western States that is also open to the public.

TrailCon’s curious lack…

O is for Offline

Raziq Rauf — Thu, 18 Jun 2026 20:08:44 GMT

Some great news: I had my first meeting with my publisher since This is Running was released in April, and I got the news that I’ve sold almost 3,000 copies.

As a first-time author, working in a niche category, who put out only the most difficult format of book, it was incredible news. For context, 90% of non-fiction books sell less than 2,000 copies in …

Why do you run?

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 08 Jun 2026 19:55:14 GMT

Running Sucks Running Socks

That’s right: I made Running Sucks running socks with Swiftwick.

Running Sucks running socks atop a couple of copies of This is Running

Designed in a retro style using the blue/yellow colorway of my book, the words are on the back of the sock especially so that the people you pass can have a chuckle. If you’re reading this newsl…

D is for Doping

Raziq Rauf — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 20:36:41 GMT

Last week, I wrapped up the last couple of dates on the Salomon gravel tour. I sometimes worry that even with two decades of running, living in LA and attending big marathon events will skew my perception of what running is really like. Travelling around the country and meeting runners in all cities just reaffirmed that we’re all the same:

Community and creativity are the cornerstones of culture.

How’s that for some over-alliteration? Maybe I should put it on a t-shirt.

Interestingly, there’s an article on Business of Fashion today about how books have become a signifier in this cruel age of AI slop. If you’ve read the introduction to This is Running, you will know the parallels that I draw between running and reading – two of the most human acts possible

If you haven’t yet read the introduction to my book, This is Running, please pick up a copy today.

Get your copy of This is Running now

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Enjoy your Global Running LIFE this Wednesday

For Global Running Day, I’ve been featured on the Swiftwick Socks blog. Cool socks. Cool people. It’s an honor to be highlighted by them.

Running Sucks by running socks

Wouldn’t it be great if there were some Running Sucks running socks? Now there’s a thought… (Keep your eyes peeled on IG.) In the meantime, here’s a feature with Greg Itahara, who designed one of my favorite pairs of socks.

How to get 1 million people running

I believe the number one way to celebrate running is by sharing it with more people. Yeah, you’ll end up complaining that you can’t get into the marathon you want to race but overall I think that more people running is a good thing.

Couch to 5K has been one of (if not the) most impactful things in the history of running. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, there is a Q&A with Josh Clark in my book, and I published the extended version of that on Thursday.

May was also 10 years to the month of the NHS formally incorporating a C25K app into their health program, so it’s a timely moment for the program.

Happy 10th birthday to rabbit.

Earlier this year, I profiled Monica DeVreese, co-founder of rabbit, when I was taken by their Clubhouse series of quiet haven hotels at the NYC and Chicago Marathons and at UTMB. The brand is celebrating their 10th anniversary right now.

D is for Doping

It’s a question every injured runner has asked themselves: what would I do to not be injured any more.