Why run?
When asked about why they picked up running, our experts named several reasons. Perhaps the most obvious and common one is improving your health and well-being – if done responsibly (as in by following the tips below) and in moderation.
“Running is just a tool, and it’s up to you what you will achieve thanks to it. It doesn’t owe you anything, and vice versa, so, first and foremost, I run to enjoy. Running is also a great way to explore new cities and locations – every run becomes a tour of sorts,” shares Nikita Melnik, a running enthusiast who ran the full White Nights marathon in 2024.
Another of our experts, Anton Potapov, a graduate of ITMO’s Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Master's program and avid runner, shared that the activity helps him think and reach the best decisions in life, as well as come up with important ideas. Moreover, as part of the running community, you gain new social connections, even if it’s just waving to fellow runners you spot on your jogs.
“Personally, for me, it’s also a little nostalgic: when I go on my runs, I reminisce on the times when I used to run professionally at school – I participated in tournaments and just had a blast training for them,” adds Anton Potapov.
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What you need?
Compared to other sports, running requires less equipment for beginners. Still, there’re a few essential items that are crucial for your comfort from day one – like shoes. As Anton shares from his experience, “This [the right shoes] is especially important if you plan to run long distances on flat surfaces like asphalt. Many beginners, including myself, suffer injuries due to the wrong footwear. This is one area where you shouldn’t hesitate to invest your money.’”
Running isn’t just a warm-weather activity; you can also take it up during the colder months by adjusting your equipment and diet.
“…To make it work, you need discipline, nutritious meals, and a good night’s sleep. Also, proper equipment is a must – you should try different products to find the ones most suitable for you. You have to keep your hands, ears, and neck warm. It’s hard to start, but as you run, your body will heat itself up,” explains Nikita.
Where to run?
The smooth landscape and flat terrain of St. Petersburg make it an excellent city for running. Among our experts’ top locations are the embankments of Neva and its canals, as well as the city's many parks (Park Pobedy, Park of Aviators, Sosnovka, Piskarevsky, and Murinsk, and 300th Anniversary Park) – and islands (Elagin, Krestovsky, and Kamenny).
For more intensive workouts, Anton Potapov suggests covering several locations in one run. For example, Lopukhinsky Garden – Kamenny Island – Yelagin Island, or 300th Anniversary Park – Krestovsky Island.
Additionally, you can enjoy the city center while working out! The lines of Vasilyevsky Island and Gorokhovaya Street are great picks. However, Nikita Melnik cautions that streets can be quite crowded, so it's best to run early in the morning.
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Who to join?
It’s more than fine if you prefer running solo, but it’s also great to have someone by your side and to share your first results with, especially at the start! There’s a variety of city-wide running clubs to choose from, offering professional training and routes for beginners, all of them free to join. To narrow down the list, here are some communities tested by our experts:
Of course, ITMO wouldn’t be ITMO without its own running club. In fact, there isn’t just one; five ITMO dorms – Belorusskaya St., Alpiyskiy Ln., Vyazemsky Ln., Lensoveta St., and the inter-campus student dormitory – each have a running community. Sofya Shepeleva, the manager of the KronBars athletics club and coach of the running club at the Alpiyskiy Ln. dormitory, shares details about the system:
“The club is open to everyone regardless of their fitness level. Each participant can choose a comfortable pace; there’s a minimal pace, but it’s slightly faster than walking. Each dormitory has their unique vibe, workout types, and rules. The minimum distance for a session is 3 km, but participants are welcome to run longer.”
Read this guide to learn how to join one at your dorm!
And a new feature of this season is a club for advanced runners, which launched only a month ago! According to Sofya, its members run longer routes under the guidance of a professional coach. Usually, they meet for training on Krestovsky Island or join to participate in various running events together.
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Top tips for beginners
One of the things we asked our experts to share for this article was their top advice for beginners. Here’s what Anton Potapov shared with us on the subject:
- Don’t rush and maintain your running pace – this is the only way you’ll get to actually enjoy the process! Even if you start with 10-minute runs around your block, it’s already a huge step. Increase your efforts gradually.
- Join running communities or engage your friends. Running with someone equals more fun and support – no one will judge you if not everything goes smoothly at the start.
- Set yourself running goals, like a location you’d like to reach on your next run. It may be a metro station or a picturesque spot in the city that you’d been planning to visit for a long time. A clear objective is a great boost for your motivation.
