Best podcasts and music for running

Music vs podcasts

But what are the Brooks team listening to when they’re running? Well, there’s an interesting split between podcasts and music. The vast majority of runners put on some tunes, with 68% saying they prefer to listen to music when running, while 26% listen to podcasts. Only a handful of runners (6%) listen to audiobooks when they’re out for a run.

For the half of runners who don’t listen to something on every run, it can be very much session-dependent. And the choice of music or a podcast can also depend on the type of run. As one of our runners said:

So, there’s something for every run, and for every type of runner. Let’s dig deeper into what people are listening to on the run – and maybe you’ll find some new favourites of your own.

Reasons for listening to music while running

Why do so many of us love to listen to music while we run? There are lots of different reasons, but the two most common are that they help to take your mind off the run, and that they put a spring in your step. And our survey respondents agree, with 32% saying they find it motivating, and not far behind, 31% saying that it distracts them from their run.

It’s hard to deny that music can be a wonderful distraction if you’re not particularly enjoying a run, or doing a hard session, while research actually backs up the fact that music can be motivational.

A study conducted by the University of Edinburgh found that listening to motivational music while running can counteract the negative effects of mental fatigue on performance. So if you’re tired, your run is a slog, or the mere thought of pulling on your running shoes is hard work, then listening to your most motivational playlist could help you to improve your endurance running capacity and performance.

Another small study found that listening to preferred music led to a 10% improvement in total distance covered and faster running speeds – without any increased exertion and no difference in pacing patterns.

Best music to listen to while running

As to what genre you listen to – well, that’s completely up to you. Whether you’re a Swiftie, a hardcore metal fan, or something in between, the best music for your run is the artist and tunes that put you in a good headspace and get you clocking up the miles. But in case you need some inspiration for your next running playlist, here’s what the Brooks Running Collective, athletes and staff are listening to:

• Insomnia by Faithless
• Run Boy Run by Wood Kid
• The Dream by Alt J
• Dark Side of the Moon by Pink Floyd

You can also find — or create — your own playlists that match the pace of your run. Something upbeat can work wonders, as one of the survey respondents notes “something upbeat always positively impacts my speed because I unconsciously run to the beat of the music”.

Why not create your own pace playlist, as some of the Brooks team have done:

“Spotify creates great playlists based on BPM. I like those in 90s style.”

“I make my own playlists depending on the pace. I made a marathon playlist that starts with a slower BPM and the BPM increases during the marathon.”

Listening to podcasts while running

Like listening to music, listening to podcasts for runners can be beneficial for multiple reasons. A good podcast allows you to block out all distractions around you and motivate you to keep running for longer periods. They can help you to escape from everyday life pressures and relax your mind – and you might even learn something new.

We asked “What type of podcasts do you prefer to listen to during runs?”, and the responses were far-ranging, proving just how many different types of podcasts out there. The top answer was – you guessed it – running. That’s followed by:

• True crime
• Comedy
• Motivational/self-improvement
• Educational (history, science, etc)
• News/current events

If you’re new to the world of podcasts and are looking for recommendations, here are some of the best podcasts for running, by genre.

Running podcasts

Whether you want to learn how to run, find out how to improve your performance, need advice on what to wear on a run, or love hearing inspiring tales from other runners, running podcasts can be a great way of inspiring you to achieve your goals.

There’s a huge number of running podcasts, covering every topic from running your first 5k to multi-day ultra runs – so it may be a case of trial and error to find the one that best suits your specific interests. Some of the best podcasts about running include:

• The Runner’s World UK Podcast: Interviews with elite athletes like Laura Muir and Philly Bowden, and top tips from this UK-based running magazine.
• Young Hearts Run Free: A light-hearted perspective on running from Scottish duo John Cassidy and Steven Watt, with past interviewees including everyone from Jasmin Paris to Elish McColgan.
• Tea & Trails: A weekly show dedicated to trail running, hosted by Edwina Sutton and Gary Thwaites, with interviews, personal training experiences and coaching insights.
• The Citius Mag podcast: If you’re a track runner or fan, you can’t go wrong with this podcast from Citius Mag, hosted by founder Chris Chavez featuring weekly interviews with the stars of track and field.
• Nobody Asked Us with Des and Kara: As recommended by one of our runners, this podcasts is hosted by elite runners Des Linden and Kara Goucher
• RunWise: This French podcast, as recommended by one of our runners, features top tips for every running ability.