what im wondering is, what will it do for me, everyone is saying that running is the best exercise you can do.

Does it work as a good weight loss exercise as well?

Not being a avid runner, will it build muscle faster?

will results happen LONG term? or will they be noticeable within weeks/months?

running isn't really going to build muscle... strength training and having a caloric surplus builds muscle

Running is cardio... which is good for strengthening your heart (which is a muscle but not a bulging bicep muscle) and is good for weight loss... but you need to combine strength trainig as well so as to not lose the muscle you've got while eating at a deficit.

DO spend some time reading the stickied threads... they have information that will help you