No. Running is not an effective way to work the core musculature. If we consider the core musculature to be the muscles that make up the abdominals, obliques and the transverse abdominals, then we cannot say that running is an effective way to progress the core.

Yes, if you are an extremely sedentary individual who has little to no physical activity in your routine then running may be effective at building the very basic blocks of core strength but nothing more than that of people who are generally active through walking. Running should not be used as an intervention to improve core strength. It is a highly effective way to improve cardiovascular function but not core strength.

For exercises to improve you core, have a look through our Core Movement Library .