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Historians believe that competitive running developed as part of religious festivals in many different parts of the world, including Egypt, Asia, the Rift Valley region of Africa, and North America. One of the earliest competitions on record took place in Ireland at a festival called the Tailteann Games, which date back to 1829 BCE. Foot races were common during festivals in ancient Greece; the Olympic Games started as part of such a festival. The first Olympics, for men only, were in 776 BCE. Greek women had their own competition, the Heraea Games. Both contests were held every four years. The early Olympics consisted only of foot races of varying distances. But by the 5^th century BCE the competition included such field events as discus, javelin, and long jump. After the fall of Greece, the Romans continued the Olympic tradition until 394 CE. After that the sport of running disappeared, at least for a while.

At various times during the next centuries, competitive running was revived in England, first in 12^th and then again in the 15^th century. The last attempt ended when the Puritans ruled the country in the 17^th century. But by the 19^th century, the sport had reemerged at the secondary schools and colleges of England. The meetings, or meets, between schools in the early 1800s included different types of foot races and field events. Some races were held on marked tracks and for specific distances. In others, runners followed a trail through fields and open country. The races on marked tracks developed into the standard races we know today, including the sprints and other distances. The second type of race eventually developed into both the steeplechase, which is run on a track with low hurdles and small pools of water to cross, and cross-country, where teams of racers follow a marked course through wooded parks.

By the mid-1800s, track-and-field competitions had spread to North America. Organizations that sanctioned meets sprouted in England and the United States. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, with track and field as one of the nine featured sports. The growth of the Olympics and the Olympic movement established track and field as an international sport. The top runners come from countries all around the world. Cross-country was part of the Olympic Games in the first part of the 20^th century but was eventually dropped.

Track and field, including cross-country, is a popular sport at secondary schools and colleges worldwide. For those who want to compete after their school years end, many communities have running clubs that sponsor road races, often at distances of 10 km (6.2 mi).

Running is also an essential part of many other sports. Soccer players must build their endurance to be able to run up and down the field without getting tired out. Basketball also involves running, although in shorter bursts and across less distance. Other sports that require stamina to run include field hockey, football, lacrosse, and rugby.

Now we know how running became a sport. But what makes it a good form of exercise?