Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago

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Do you run without a shirt on ever? Lots of people have opinions on this topic and in some parts of the world it’s something you’re just not allowed to do.

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We hear from runners around the world for their take on the decision to run without a shirt on - for both men and women.

And Yijin Shim from BBC Korean tells us about how in South Korea “no shirtless running” signs have been popping up after more runners have been going shirtless in a heatwave.

00:00 Introduction
00:23 Meet Hardik & Jen
00:45 Why go shirtless?
02:07 Reactions and Confidence
03:21 Should it be allowed?
05:46 ‘It’s not appropriate’
06:23 When it's Illegal
07:25 South Korea Debate
08:38 Heat and local rules
10:40 Body standards and stigma
11:33 Global etiquette

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Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Emily Horler, Chelsea Coates and Adam Chowdhury
Video Producer: Baldeep Chahal
Editors: Verity Wilde

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