Running Doesn’t Have to Be a Sprint

Why LINAS Team Running Exists

Started Late. Still Running.

I grew up in the UK and came to Japan over 20 years ago. I hated running at school and spent years as a heavy smoker and drinker in London.

My first run wasn’t about fitness at all — it was a 5k in 2008 because a friend promised a big BBQ and plenty of beer afterwards. I didn’t catch the bug straight away, but over time running became something I chose for myself.

I ran my first half marathon in Nagoya in 2014, my first full marathon a few years later, and set my best times in my mid-forties. Not fast, not slow — just somewhere in the middle.

Extreme Sports Biking
Snowboarding
Running Without Comparison

I love seeing people lose their inhibitions around running — just going out and moving, without judgement. What I dislike is when running is used to put others down, or when people use it to put themselves down.

LINAS Team Running grew out of that belief. During COVID, when group runs disappeared, I started Life Is Not A Sprint (LINAS) as a way to bring people together without targets, rankings or pressure.

Instead of individual goals, we worked towards shared ones — crossing countries, continents and imaginary finish lines together. You could run a lot or a little and still be part of the team.

Watch this quick video

Why people choose LINAS

Because running Shouldn’t Mean pressure

LINAS Team Running is for people who want motivation without instruction or judgement.

There are no training plans, no targets and no rankings. Instead of focusing on performance, everyone contributes what they can towards a shared team goal — at their own pace, in their own time.

  • Run when and where it suits you

  • Contribute as much or as little as you want

  • Be part of a team without comparison or pressure

Consistency over intensity

Designed to support regular running, not peak performance.

Mental space, not mental pressure

Running as a reset, not another thing to measure.

Movement that fits real life

No schedules, no plans — just running when it works for you.

Shared goals, individual effort

Everyone runs their own way, towards something together.

What We’ve Already Run Together

Our Past Challenges

The Great Wall Run
The Great Wall Run
A virtual team run inspired by the length of the Great Wall of China, completed together through individual runs around the world.
Land’s End to John O’Groats
Land’s End to John O’Groats
Participants contributed their own distances to cover the full length of the UK — from Cornwall to northern Scotland.
Pole to Pole
Pole to Pole
A long-distance team challenge based on the distance from the North Pole to the South Pole, completed step by step together.
The Sustainability Run
The Sustainability Run
A team challenge focused on consistency and participation, with sustainability and charity at its core.
shared Goals

What People Are Saying

Everyone is running their own race, pace & distance — great encouragement to keep you going.
The challenges and regular updates keep you interested and coming back.
It really feels like a community, with shoutouts during the challenges.

D.H., Ireland
Fun challenges for you to choose your own distances. Lots of encouragement and support. A safe place to air your achievements and struggles. Lovely community!
C.D.W., England

Always encouraging and friendly, gives advice when asked for and always replies quickly to messages. Can’t ask for more.

S.T., England