Running the Göteborgsvarvet to set a new personal best can make you just as happy as running the marathon as a fun activity with friends. This is according to a new study from the School of Business, Economics and Law at the University of Gothenburg, which looked at what makes runners happy.

Activities that provide physical satisfaction, social interaction and a sense of personal development make us feel good. But whether it is the joy of the moment or the long-term pursuit of a goal that brings us the most happiness is individual.

John Armbrecht and Tommy D. Andersson are event researchers and have studied 900 people who have run the Göteborgsvarvet. “Events like the Göteborgsvarvet are good at satisfying our need for socializing, physical activity and a break from everyday life. It is an immersive experience that affects our well-being. Therefore, it is interesting to study to understand what makes us happy,” says Armbrecht, Associate Professor of Business Administration.

The study“Happy runners: the role of needs and Hedonic & Eudaimonic satisfaction,” is published in the Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism,

Not always an immediate pleasure

The Göteborgsvarvet is one of the largest half-marathons of its kind in the world, attracting about 35,000 recreational and professional athletes each year. To measure the happiness of the runners, the study looked at how their needs were met. The study was based on two types of needs: those that provide pleasure and joy in the here and now, and those that relate to well-being through personal development.

“The study nuances our understanding of what makes us happy. We used to think that immediate pleasure was most important. But it is the needs that determine which of these two paths leads to happiness for the individual,” he says.

Interest in running events continues to grow. The study suggests that understanding participants’ needs can help organizers improve the design and content of an event. As participants’ needs vary, they should provide activities and experiences that are both fun and meaningful. This can make runners more satisfied and loyal.