Бегать vs. Бежать?

Question

When should I use "Бегать" and when should I use "Бежать"? What's the difference between these two words?For instance, if want to say "I enjoy running" should I say "Мне нравится бегать" or "Мне нравится бежать"? Or does it sound more natural to just say "Я интересуюсь бегом"?I grew up speaking Russian at home, but I haven't had much of a formal education in Russian, and so there are many things about Russian grammar that I don't understand. This particular question is something I have a lot of trouble with.

Answer 1

These verbs belong to a group called Verbs of Motion.

Бегать implies repeated action. Мне нравится бегать. Я бегаю в парке каждое утрою

Бежать a directional movement. Я бегу (не бегаю) марафон. I am running a marathon (now). vs. Я бегаю (не бегу) марафон каждый год.

Беггать можно в разных направлениях (туда - сюда), а бежать - только в одном