Talk Sports Today: Free Running

Running, urban, acrobatic and tricks. Do those words seem to go together?

If so, you may be a free runner. Because free runner have taken tricks and are usually performed with a prop or at least a net and moved them into their daily lives and into public view.

Free running is a way of interacting with the urban landscape in an unusual way. Free runner use the city as a gym. Instead of following the typical paths or doing typical movement. Free runners use urban obstacles as props for acrobatic tricks. Free running is related to the French idea of Parkour, but Parkour also about efficiency speed and self-preservation also self protection, but free running is just more about fun.

The free running environment contains high and low walls, stairs, ramps, bars, and fences, arches and doorways. Therefore, most free running moved are designed to use these elements. There are variety of different vaults for getting over low walls. There are running techniques to help scale high walls and flips to get down off them. Dives, rolls, twists help protect the body when landing. And, of course there are of tons of way to make each move more difficult, more athletic, and more pleasing to watch.

All of these stunts are the reason free running competitions are often held within larger stunt competitions. There are more and more competitions dedicated solely to free running, however. There are free running clubs in many urban areas, and free running fans are now active in many of the world's cities. If you see urban obstacles you can jump over, climb, or duck under, then there are probably free runners in your city too. 😉