My ‘True cost of running’ in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and in 2024 posts turned out to be reasonably well read, so I decided to work out how much I managed to spend on what I call running-related purchases in a year that thanks to me breaking a metatarsal in my left foot, didn’t feature much in the way of running from July onwards. I decided to use the same categories; running clothes and trainers, running accessories, race entries, etc I used in previous years, so that I could directly compare this year’s spending with what I spent last year.

I concluded last year’s ‘True cost of running’ post by stating that although I hoped that 2025 was going to be a less expensive year than 2024 and that I’d love to ‘run for free in 2025, I accepted that it was inevitable that I’d end up spending a fair amount on the sport that gives me a lot of pleasure. I decided that I wasn’t going to feel guilty for making what I describe as essential running-related purchases, for example, new trainers and osteopathy appointments, however, if I wanted to make any non-essential purchases, I would have to raise money by selling stuff on eBay and Facebook first. Effectively, I wanted my running hobby to fund itself. I’d love to say that this happened, but thanks to changes to the eBay selling process and a negative experience with a scammer, my last online sale was back in February.

[Photo: Rob Andrews]

I once again found going through my running expenditure spreadsheet – yes, I’m still a statistics geek – rather uncomfortable. Yet another much-needed wake-up call and reality check. I realised that by adding another three pairs of running shorts and 14 pairs of running socks, I’d failed to achieve my aim of ‘running for free in 2025 in style. I also discovered that thanks to ending the year with a rather expensive Garmin-related purchase, I’d managed to spend more this year than I’d anticipated.

So, now it’s clear I predictably failed to stay away from the temptations of Sweaty Betty et al., let’s have a look at what I purchased throughout the year. I’ve also included what I spent in each category last year.

Running clothes and trainers

• Versus Elite socks x 3 pairs (Vinted) – £13.59
• adidas sports bra – £16.99
• parkrun milestone V100 t-shirt – £20.00
• Sweaty Betty 6″ Power shorts (Vinted) – £29.85
• Rockay Women’s Xplore gilet – £29.99
• Sweaty Betty 9″ Power shorts – £30.00
• Twisted Running Cargo running shorts – £33.50
• Versus running socks x 11 pairs – £49.50
• Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 running shoes – £67.99
• Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 running shoes – £69.99

TOTAL: £361.40 (£582.17 last year)

Running accessories

• Lululemon headband (Vinted) – £9.39
• Inov8 Race Elite Peak 2 running cap – £9.99
• adidas Running X 4d Heat.rdy Cap £17.50
• adidas Running Aeroready Four-panel Mesh Cap £19.55
• Garmin Forerunner 265S GPS watch – £299.99

TOTAL: £356.42 (£14.45 last year)

Running-related books

• Making Fitness Your Business book – £7.99
• The Lazy Runner book – £7.99

TOTAL: £15.98 (£0.00 last year)

Race entries

• 7 Pools Run race entry – £20.00
• Royal Sutton Fun Run race entry – £28.00
• Great Birmingham Run 2026 race entry – £42.00

TOTAL: £90.00 (£132.20 last year)

Virtual races

TOTAL: £0.00 (£30.40 last year)

Travel and accommodation

• Return train ticket to Sutton Coldfield – £3.60
• Return train ticket to Sutton Coldfield – £3.60
• Return train ticket to Sutton Coldfield – £3.60
• Return train ticket to Sutton Coldfield – £3.60
• Return train ticket to Sutton Coldfield – £3.60
• Return train ticket to Lichfield – £5.20
• Return train ticket to Lichfield – £6.10
• Return train ticket to Lichfield – £6.10

TOTAL: £35.40 (£53.80 last year)

Running holidays

TOTAL: £0.00 (£0.00 last year)

Running club

• Royal Sutton Coldfield AC 100 Club fees – £32.40
• Royal Sutton Coldfield AC annual membership – £80.00

TOTAL: £112.40 (£111.40 last year)

Osteopathy appointments

• Returning patient osteopathy appointment – £56.00
• Returning patient osteopathy appointment – £56.00
• Returning patient osteopathy appointment – £56.00
• Returning patient osteopathy appointment – £56.00
• Returning patient osteopathy appointment – £56.00

TOTAL: £280.00 (£540.00 last year)

 Miscellaneous

• Protein Rebel Power Up Sea Water Magnesium Powder – £12.00
• Fit Kit Rehydrate Electrolyte Face Moisturiser – £12.99
• Fit Kit Body Rebuild Magnesium Body Moisturiser – £13.99
• Fit Kit Body Rebuild Magnesium Body Moisturiser – £13.99
• Protein Rebel Run Easy Marine Collagen Peptides Protein – £24.00

TOTAL: £76.97 (£66.49 last year)

GRAND TOTAL: £1328.57 (£1530.91 last year)

In the past, I felt slightly embarrassed when I worked out how much I’d managed to spend on my running hobby throughout the year. This year, although I ended up spending more than I’d predicted when I started writing this blog, I didn’t feel any shame for two reasons. A large proportion of my spending was on osteopathy appointments; the treatment I received in these appointments quite literally kept me up and running. Ignoring osteopathy appointments, my other most expensive purchases were a Garmin Forerunner 265S to replace the Garmin Fenix 6 I purchased in 2021 and two pairs of Mizuno Wave Inspire 19 trainers. I once again managed to stick to my ‘rule’ of not spending more than £100 on a pair of trainers.

And what about my spending in each of the categories? After spending what felt like far too much on running clothes and trainers in both 2023 and 2024, I managed to spend less this year. While several of my purchases were made in my local TK Maxx, I purchased a pair of my favourite Sweaty Betty 9” power shorts on Vinted and a second pair direct from Sweaty Betty using my 50% off birthday discount code. Due to my metatarsal mishap in July, I’m yet to wear the Twisted Running cargo running shorts and some of the running socks I purchased in an end of line sale. Thanks to me purchasing several running caps in a failed attempt to find a running cap that is small enough for my child-sized head and a replacement Garmin, my spending in the running accessories category increased from a respectable £14.45 to £356.42. I’m hoping this Garmin will last me a good 3-4 years and that I’ll be able to recoup some of the money I spent on running caps once my house stops doing a good impression of a building site.

This year, I purchased two running-related books. I’m yet to read either book as I’ve spent most of the year reading about anything but running. I reduced the amount I spent on race entries and still managed to enter what I hope will be my target event for 2026, the Great Birmingham Run. Last year, I had the foresight to enter this year’s Run Up to Christmas virtual event. I wasn’t tempted to enter any additional virtual events, hence the zero spending in the virtual races category.

My spending in the travel and accommodation category decreased slightly from £53.80 in 2034 to £35.40 this year. As in previous years, this expenditure was unavoidable as I’m not in the habit of fare dodging and the train tickets I purchased enabled me to attend my osteopathy appointments in Sutton Coldfield and to travel to Beacon parkrun in Lichfield. I once again didn’t have any running holidays; I’m hopeful this might change next year. My running Club membership and 100 Club fees increased slightly, like last year, I’m hopeful I’ll be able to train with my Club next year. I’ve already mentioned my osteopathy appointments and as for the miscellaneous category, I’m ashamed to admit that I allowed myself to be influenced by a runner on Instagram who I suspect didn’t waste £76.97 purchasing magnesium powder, face moisturiser, body moisturiser, and protein powder.

Although circumstances at home meant that, unlike in previous years, I failed to list and to therefore sell any of my unwanted running clothes and trainers online, I’ve decided to repost some of the information I’ve shared before. If you are looking to sell your unwanted running clothes or trainers online, dedicated Facebook selling groups such as the Running Gear Buy and Sell group is a great place to start. I’m still yet to sell on Vinted, so I can’t personally recommend it as a selling platform, but I’ve seen a fair amount of positive feedback. And don’t forget about eBay.

I’m going to end this post by saying that although I hope next year will be a less expensive year and that I’d love to ‘run for free’ in 2026, I’ve once again accepted that it’s almost certain I’ll end up spending a fair amount on the sport that gives me a lot of pleasure. I’ve decided I’m not going to feel guilty for making essential running-related purchases, for example, new trainers, however, if I want to make any non-essential purchases, I’m going to have to raise money by selling stuff on eBay, Vinted and Facebook first. I’m aware that I’m repeating myself, but I can’t keep buying new running clothes when I have boxes of running clothes I’ve barely worn in storage in my loft.

Have you ever worked out how much money you spend on running in a year?  Sorry for the repeated question, but you all know that I’m nosey. I’d love to see how my spending compares to other people’s spending.

Do you set yourself a budget at the start of the year? Except for essentials, new trainers, osteopathy appointments, and travel, my budget for 2026 will be zero. If I want to treat myself to anything outside of those categories, I’ll have to raise money by selling some of my unwanted running gear first.

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