Depends on the person and what the end goal is. For most people that lift weights purely for fitness, it's exercise. The ones that enter Olympic weightlifting competitions where the end goal is being competitive and not just fit would view it as a sport. I suspect running can be viewed in a similar lens, exercise when it's just done for fitness purposes but a sport when serious competition is the end goal
When people lift weights, they call it exercise. Isn't running, just exercise? It's not really a sport for most people.
Most lift and or run for exercise. Some compete in running and some compete in power lifting or olympic weight lifting.
I was never better than 17:30 in the 5k, never broke 30 in a 5 mile race nor 37 in a 10k nevertheless I focused on training and set goals, it was my sport. Swimming, cycling, lifting, tennis, badminton were exercises I used as cross training and overall fitness.
The vast majority that show up for a fun run or even a big city marathon have no interest in what’s happening at the front end of the race.
That’s why participation is at an all time high but the sport is struggling more than ever.
But if they are paying for a race, they aren't doing it just for exercise. Yet you are right, they aren't doing it as a sport either.
There is a third option: social activity.
So in the gym, it is an exercise like sit-ups and "cardio" and push-ups and taking a spin class for 99% of people
In mass participation races (with finisher medals, race-day t-shirts, and friends signing up with you) it is a social activity.
If you have a goal and know your PR and are trying to go as fast as you can (regardless of your pace), it is a sport. If you care about the result, are striving to do you best, and are exhausted at the end, that is a sport.
The vast majority that show up for a fun run or even a big city marathon have no interest in what’s happening at the front end of the race.
That’s why participation is at an all time high but the sport is struggling more than ever.
I wouldn't think it should be that hard to get people somewhat casually interested in just how fast they very best are. Not to the level of waking up in the middle of the night to watch the Berlin Marathon, but enough to notice it and move on with their day. But then again, is there any money to be made from that?
When people lift weights, they call it exercise. Isn't running, just exercise? It's not really a sport for most people.
Ahhh. The infamous 'WHY'. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Me? Exercise. But its the sport that pushes me to where I should (and want) to be with my physical fitness.
