Running doesn’t wreck your knees. It strengthens them

I'm a distance runner and had a physiotherapist friend who said obesity is the main cause of knee injuries. I'm sure there are instances where running can wreck your knees, but from a statistical perspective, you (including your knees) are better off with the benefit confers.

>In these studies, distance running does not wreck most runners’ knees and, instead, fortifies them, leaving joints sturdier and less damaged than if someone had never taken up the sport.

I would assume that the people that wreck their knees don't make it to "distant running" and stop at some point between short distance, and medium distance running.

Not saying that it's not possible to make it as distance runners for most people, but it may involve careful work strengthening and improving mobility on the way rather than naively "just keep running through the pain"