Years running means consecutive years. No problem with that. But I saw it is used in sentences like:
That helps explain why Greece probably beat its primary budget target for a fourth year running in 2018.
There was a shortfall in zinc production for the second year running in 1996.
To my understanding:
Sentence 1. Greece beat its primary budget target in the last three years, and do the same in the 2018 which is the fourth year.
- There was a shortfall in zinc production in 1995 and in 1996 too which is the second year.
As far as I understand that's the sense that it gives but I can not be sure.