[Dzidas]

Unless you run naked it is not free :) At least for me. I spend ~130 euros on running shoes every 4-5 month. Running gear requires investment as well - where I run temperature fluctuates from -12C to +32C so you need proper clothes. Plus, on long runs >20 km I have something to snack.

[tdees40]

I bought a bunch of New Balance Minimus on sale for around $70 each. Many of them have >1000 miles on them, and they're going strong. I have yet to retire a pair. And the upside to running clothes is that they're all synthetics so they last forever. I still have pretty much all of the running clothes I've ever bought. Not quite free, but awfully cheap.