RunAthena.com :: Resources

This is the first in a series of articles which will survey, review, and highlight various running-related discussion boards and online communities.

Participation in online forums or message boards for runners and running enthusiasts can be a very rewarding experience. The online forums offer runners the chance to share triumphs or challenges, offer one another encouragement, ask technical or training questions, or just let off some steam. While some forums are more well known than others, all offer unique opportunities for runners to learn from each other and challenge each other, for the benefit of the sport.

While both of the national running magazines host online forums on their websites, each of the online communities has a unique character in keeping with the host publication's editorial focus and target audience. With its wider, broader readership and more generalist appeal, the Runner's World discussion forum attracts a broad range of "regulars" and new users, from first-time runners to veteran racers to stay-at-home-moms looking for a social support network to habitual trolls just looking to start a flame war.

The forums at Running Times, on the other hand, are more narrowly focused on racing, with the bulk of the posting activity centered on the "Marathon" forum. The Running Times online community is smaller, quieter, and generally less rambunctious than the Runner's World forum. It is a forum for the running purist -- a little stuffy sometimes, but a knowledgeable and dedicated group of people with much expertise to share.

Besides these two magazines, there are several other choices available, from well-established discussion boards to newly-launched running-related websites with online communities. Over the next several articles, we will profile some of these online communities and talk about the role they play on the ever-evolving running and virtual running scene.

Stay tuned!