33 running quiz questions with answers on marathon distances, track events, training and records. The full answer key sits at the end.
Each question has three options and keeps the correct one behind a button, so you can score yourself honestly. The answer key under the scoring table gathers all 33 running trivia questions and answers in one place. Club coaches use these running quiz questions as a warm-up round on a rest day, and the questions about running that deal with pacing and nutrition are worth reading even if you never keep score.
1. What is the standard distance of a marathon race?
- A) 36.195 km
- B) 42.195 km
- C) 31.069 km
2. What is the world record time for men’s 100 meters race?
- A) 9.58 seconds
- B) 9.63 seconds
- C) 9.68 seconds
3. Who is the first man to complete a marathon under 2 hours?
- A) Eliud Kipchoge
- B) Kenenisa Bekele
- C) Haile Gebrselassie
4. At which Olympic Games was the marathon first run?
- A) Paris 1900
- B) Athens 1896
- C) St. Louis 1904
5. Which country holds the most Olympic gold medals in men’s 100 meters race?
- A) USA
- B) Jamaica
- C) Great Britain
6. What are the middle-distance running events in track and field?
- A) 800 m and 1500 m
- B) 5000 m and 10000 m
- C) 3000 m and 5000 m
7. What is the term for running off-road, typically in mountainous terrain?
- A) Trail running
- B) Cross-country running
- C) Fell running
8. What type of running shoes are designed for overpronators?
- A) Neutral shoes
- B) Stability shoes
- C) Cushioned shoes
9. Who is considered the “father of modern distance running and training”?
- A) Arthur Lydiard
- B) Jack Daniels
- C) Bill Bowerman
10. In which country is the famous “Comrades Marathon” held?
- A) South Africa
- B) Australia
- C) United States
11. How many laps around a standard 400-meter track are required to complete a 5,000-meter race?
- A) 10
- B) 12.5
- C) 20
12. What is the “runner’s high” phenomenon?
- A) A sense of euphoria during long runs
- B) The adrenaline rush experienced during a race
- C) Crossing the finish line in first place
13. What are most modern outdoor running tracks surfaced with?
- A) Compacted clay
- B) Asphalt
- C) Synthetic polyurethane rubber
14. What type of workout is described as alternating periods of intense exercise with periods of lighter activity or rest?
- A) Fartlek training
- B) Interval training
- C) Progressive overload
15. Which sprinter set the women's 100 meters world record of 10.49 seconds in 1988?
- A) Carmelita Jeter
- B) Florence Griffith-Joyner
- C) Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce
16. What is the primary goal of a “taper” period in a marathon training plan?
- A) To increase mileage
- B) To allow your body to recover
- C) To improve your sprinting speed
17. What is the recommended distance between your longest training run and the marathon race?
- A) One week
- B) Two weeks
- C) Three weeks
18. What essential nutrient helps to provide the primary source of energy during endurance running?
- A) Carbohydrates
- B) Proteins
- C) Fats
19. What does a runner's cadence measure?
- A) Steps per minute
- B) Stride length in meters
- C) Heart rate during a run
20. Which famous long-distance runner has won the New York Marathon nine times?
- A) Grete Waitz
- B) Paula Radcliffe
- C) Mary Keitany
21. Which of these muscle groups is most prone to injury during running?
- A) Neck and shoulder muscles
- B) Hamstrings and quadriceps
- C) Biceps and triceps
22. In which country is the highest altitude marathon, the Everest Marathon, held?
- A) Nepal
- B) India
- C) China
23. How long does it typically take for the human body to hit “the wall” during a marathon, due to glycogen depletion?
- A) 1-2 hours
- B) 2-3 hours
- C) 3-4 hours
24. What term is used for a competitive race where participants are timed over a set distance?
- A) Beat the clock
- B) All comers meet
- C) Time trial
25. What is a common cause of dehydration during endurance running?
- A) Consuming too much water
- B) Excessive sweating
- C) Drinking insufficient electrolytes
26. What is the role of the pacer during a running event?
- A) Setting the pace for the front runners
- B) Leading the race in a vehicle
- C) Timing the runners at set intervals
27. What is the correct term for a long distance race run on natural surfaces?
- A) Trail run
- B) Urban race
- C) Street race
28. Who was the founder of the modern Olympic Games?
- A) Pierre de Coubertin
- B) Avery Brundage
- C) Juan Antonio Samaranch
29. In which year was the women’s marathon introduced as a competitive Olympic event?
- A) 1960
- B) 1976
- C) 1984
30. How many legs are there in a standard 4×100 meters relay race?
- A) 3
- B) 4
- C) 5
31. Which running event combines three different disciplines, typically swimming, cycling, and running?
- A) Ultramarathon
- B) Triathlon
- C) Pentathlon
32. Which type of stretching is recommended to do before a run to help prevent injuries?
- A) Static stretching
- B) Dynamic stretching
- C) Ballistic stretching
33. In a racewalking competition, what is the rule that distinguishes racewalking from running?
- A) At least one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times
- B) Holding one elbow bent at a 90-degree angle at all times
- C) Swinging arms in a synchronized motion with the legs
Results
| # of Correct Answers | Percentage Range | Label | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0- | 0-49% | Track TraineeArmchair Athlete | You've got some learning to do, but don't worry, there's always the next game! |
| - | 50-64% | Jogging NoviceRookie Runner | Not bad! Keep practicing, and you'll be a sports trivia champ in no time. |
| - | 65-79% | Sprint SpecialistMidfield Maestro | Impressive! You're getting closer to the top, keep up the good work. |
| - | 80-94% | Race RunnerAll-Star Striker | Wow, you really know your sports trivia! You're a force to be reckoned with. |
| -33 | 95-100% | Marathon MasterLegendary Champion | Unbelievable! You're a true sports trivia master. Your knowledge knows no bounds! |
Running Quiz Answers: The Full Answer Key
Every question in this running quiz with its correct answer, in the order the questions appear above. Check your score against the table, or use the list as a set of running trivia questions and answers for a quiz night of your own.
| # | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | What is the standard distance of a marathon race? | B) 42.195 km |
| 2 | What is the world record time for men's 100 meters race? | A) 9.58 seconds |
| 3 | Who is the first man to complete a marathon under 2 hours? | A) Eliud Kipchoge |
| 4 | At which Olympic Games was the marathon first run? | B) Athens 1896 |
| 5 | Which country holds the most Olympic gold medals in men's 100 meters race? | A) USA |
| 6 | What are the middle-distance running events in track and field? | A) 800 m and 1500 m |
| 7 | What is the term for running off-road, typically in mountainous terrain? | C) Fell running |
| 8 | What type of running shoes are designed for overpronators? | B) Stability shoes |
| 9 | Who is considered the "father of modern distance running and training"? | A) Arthur Lydiard |
| 10 | In which country is the famous "Comrades Marathon" held? | A) South Africa |
| 11 | How many laps around a standard 400-meter track are required to complete a 5,000-meter race? | B) 12.5 |
| 12 | What is the "runner's high" phenomenon? | A) A sense of euphoria during long runs |
| 13 | What are most modern outdoor running tracks surfaced with? | C) Synthetic polyurethane rubber |
| 14 | What type of workout is described as alternating periods of intense exercise with periods of lighter activity or rest? | B) Interval training |
| 15 | Which sprinter set the women's 100 meters world record of 10.49 seconds in 1988? | B) Florence Griffith-Joyner |
| 16 | What is the primary goal of a "taper" period in a marathon training plan? | B) To allow your body to recover |
| 17 | What is the recommended distance between your longest training run and the marathon race? | C) Three weeks |
| 18 | What essential nutrient helps to provide the primary source of energy during endurance running? | A) Carbohydrates |
| 19 | What does a runner's cadence measure? | A) Steps per minute |
| 20 | Which famous long-distance runner has won the New York Marathon nine times? | A) Grete Waitz |
| 21 | Which of these muscle groups is most prone to injury during running? | B) Hamstrings and quadriceps |
| 22 | In which country is the highest altitude marathon, the Everest Marathon, held? | A) Nepal |
| 23 | How long does it typically take for the human body to hit "the wall" during a marathon, due to glycogen depletion? | B) 2-3 hours |
| 24 | What term is used for a competitive race where participants are timed over a set distance? | C) Time trial |
| 25 | What is a common cause of dehydration during endurance running? | B) Excessive sweating |
| 26 | What is the role of the pacer during a running event? | A) Setting the pace for the front runners |
| 27 | What is the correct term for a long distance race run on natural surfaces? | A) Trail run |
| 28 | Who was the founder of the modern Olympic Games? | A) Pierre de Coubertin |
| 29 | In which year was the women's marathon introduced as a competitive Olympic event? | C) 1984 |
| 30 | How many legs are there in a standard 4×100 meters relay race? | B) 4 |
| 31 | Which running event combines three different disciplines, typically swimming, cycling, and running? | B) Triathlon |
| 32 | Which type of stretching is recommended to do before a run to help prevent injuries? | B) Dynamic stretching |
| 33 | In a racewalking competition, what is the rule that distinguishes racewalking from running? | A) At least one foot must be in contact with the ground at all times |
Hungry for More? Check out these Resources!
FAQ
How many questions are in this running quiz?
There are 33 questions. Each one has three options, and the correct answer sits behind the reveal button.
Where can I find the running trivia questions and answers together?
The answer key under the scoring table lists all 33 questions with their answers in the order they appear, so a whole round can be marked at once.
Are these running trivia questions hard?
The distances and basic training terms are easy for anyone who runs. The record, Olympic history and track surface questions are harder.
Can I use these running questions for a club quiz night?
Yes. Read the question and the three options out loud, let everyone write down a letter, then read the answer key and count the correct answers.
Is there a running quiz for kids?
The questions on distances, the Olympics and famous races work well for school age runners. The training and physiology questions suit adults.
What is a good score on this running quiz?
Above half is a good result. The scoring table turns your total into a rank, from Track Trainee at the bottom to Marathon Master at the top.
How long is a marathon?
42.195 kilometers, or 26 miles and 385 yards. The distance was fixed in 1921 after the London Olympic course of 1908.
What is the men’s 100 meters world record?
9.58 seconds, set by Usain Bolt in Berlin in 2009. The women’s record of 10.49 seconds has stood to Florence Griffith-Joyner since 1988.
When did women first run the Olympic marathon?
At the 1984 Los Angeles Games, where Joan Benoit of the United States won the first women’s Olympic marathon title.
