I’m not sure it can be called a trend. At the least, running in formal attire has become a thing.

Billie Johnston, a running club member in Spokane, enjoys her Saturday morning ten-miler wearing an elegant, black, evening dress (with slits), a pearl necklace, and a rhinestone-studded purse slung around her shoulder. I asked why she runs in such a nice outfit.

“I like to look good in public, just like any other woman. And I tell ya, I get a lot of looks. I can’t count how many times a car passed, honked, and the guy put his thumbs-up out the window.”

It’s not just women. James Dalton runs in nice slacks, a sport jacket, and a shirt buttoned to the top. On Mondays, he celebrates the end of the weekend by running in a suit. Like Johnston, he enjoys looking good.

I joined James Dalton (wearing sunglasses) for a run last week.

“When you look sharp you run sharp,” Dalton says. “And let me tell ya what’s happened several times, which I just love – when I run past a group of people, they start applauding. It gives me such a good feeling.”

Though they look good, I’d be concerned about overheating. Yet both are adamant it doesn’t bother them. Says Johnston, “Guys are always asking if I want to stop and have a drink from their water. I almost always do.”

Dalton adds, “Women often pull a handkerchief from their purse and offer to wipe my brow. Of course, I can’t say no to that.”