Background Running is a sport practiced by many individuals. The positive health effects as a result of running are well known. On the other side, between 17 and 79% of the runners sustain an injury each year. Several studies examined potential risk factors for injuries, however, due to the often underpowered studies it is not possible to reveal the complex mechanism leading to a running related injury yet.

Objective To examine the incidence of running related injuries and its determinants in novice runners.

Design Prospective cohort study.

Participants Novice runners participating in a “Start to Run” course were eligible for inclusion. 1075 novice runners were included in the study and were followed during the six week running program.

Risk factor assessment Before the start of the running course, all runners completed a baseline questionnaire concerning personal characteristics and sports and injury history. During the running program training information was monitored with a digital weekly running log. This running log was used to obtain running exposure and register running related injuries.

Main outcome measures A running related injury.

Results During the running course 181 running related injuries were registered in 120 participants, which represents an incidence of 11.2%. The data on predisposing variables on injury development was not analyzed yet, but will be available at the conference April 2014.

Conclusion During a six-week running course for novice runners, 11.2% of the participants will sustain at least one running related injury.