Do runners live longer? The science behind mileage and mortality
Dr. Susan Carter, MD: Endocrinologist & Longevity Expert
Dec 03, 2025 · 16 min read
In long-term studies, running as little as 5 to 10 minutes a day at an easy pace is linked to roughly a three-year longer lifespan and about a 27% lower risk of all-cause mortality versus not running. The sweet spot for longevity appears to be moderate weekly volume (around 2 to 3 hours), not marathon-level ...