Why is everyone running marathons?

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dong_von_throbber@reddit

Running is accessible, cheap, hugely beneficial for cardio fitness and health, and very satisfying

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JuckiCZ@reddit

Ale proč tak dlouhé tratě? Není třeba 5km lepší?

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dong_von_throbber@reddit

The only things you need are good running shoes and maybe a GPS watch. That's a lot less than most other sports

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LukasKhan_UK@reddit

It's all relative, right? I'd argue for me, running isn't cheap

3 or 4 pairs of shoes a year. Entrance into events which can be anywhere from £40-£100. Travel (and accommodation depending on where the event is). Extra costs like Gels and Hydration tablets

I'm doing an event in October that has a list of things I need to have to compete

Sure. If you're turning up to a parkrun every weekend and doing the odd bit here and there in the week, it's cheap. But it can also be far more expensive then you think too

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TSC-99@reddit

I don’t know why we got so many down votes 🤣

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LukasKhan_UK@reddit

No idea. Thought I was pretty fair

It can be as cheap or as expensive as you want. But are relative terms.

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TSC-99@reddit

I know. Down votes for stating a fact.

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TSC-99@reddit

Same For me. Finance runs too do that’s double🤣

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If you're doing another sport at an equivalent level, then most of the time running is comparatively cheaper - like if you were into Polo that's expansive!! But if you were and equivalent level at football, body building, muay thai whatever, you're still needing gear and travel and events and all that crap, running doesn't need a helmet or a bat or a special ground to practice.

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bishibashi@reddit

You can make it expensive sure, but if you do local and small scale events are smart with shoe shopping and race club events it doesn’t have to be. I have clubmates who insist on doing the Abbott 6 star thing in a 4 year period - now that is expensive.

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TSC-99@reddit

It can be cheap. For me it’s not 🤣 Shoes, Garmin, clothes for all weather, races and hotels 👍🏽

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dong_von_throbber@reddit

well, for me neither, but that's out of choice rather than necessity

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the_coinman@reddit

I can’t just run to run. I need a sport or game involved. Played football growing up then lacrosse in college. Cannot just run to run. I will stick to my basketball 2 hours a day 3x a week. Yeah I have friends that can run a marathon but they can’t hang with me in a sport any day of the week. Don’t see the point.

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non-hyphenated_@reddit

It's not a new thing, it's just your age cohort is now the ones doing it and almost anyone that's ran a distance event floods social media with it.

If you don't check-in at the gym have you really been?

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FavouriteSongs@reddit

It IS a new thing. The marathon in Rotterdam (The Netherlands) was sold out within 2.5 hours this year (2025). Last year it was sold out in a week. Before that you could still buy a ticket after a few months. So participating in marathon events has become more popular.

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daz1987@reddit

We live in a society now where we crave praise and attention. Who cares if you've been to the gym or a run etc? You do it for yourself not for anyone else. Do these people posting this sort of stuff really think that people are at home looking at it going, "Wow!". It's cringe.

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Enough-Ad3818@reddit

I'm a distance runner. After completing a particularly difficult event, a mate of mine spoke to my wife and found out about it. They asked me why I'd not told them, or mentioned it on social media. I said because I wasn't doing it for the plaudits of people on Instagram, and that I only have a Reddit account and that's it.

They were genuinely shocked that I could train for a year, and then compete in an event, without broadcasting it to the world.

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anonymousdoos@reddit

I am a hefty individual. Not too fat but a bit more meat on my bones than necessary.

What people don’t know about me is I have run 91 marathons or ultra marathons. I am doing 92 and 93 this year. My longest run was 57 miles (I ran that race three times).

I only talk about running with my runner friends and the occasional comment on Reddit.

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Enough-Ad3818@reddit

My favourite ultra was The Wall. 70+ miles from Carlisle to Gateshead, along Hadrian's Wall.

It was a glorious June day, running through Cumbria and Northumbria, and was simply one of the most enjoyable events I've ever done. Made my own deadline to get in before midnight (start at 7am in Carlisle), but otherwise, the challenge is simply to finish it.

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GrimQuim@reddit

I only talk about running with my runner friends and the occasional comment on Reddit.

I'm the same, but I'm also the same with anything I'm into, unless someone asks or it's relevant to the setting I don't force out my "accomplishments" into conversation, this extends to social media. I want my "brand" to be completely irrelevant to the people I don't give a fuck about.

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GrumpyOldFart74@reddit

I started doing distance running long before social media was a thing. When Facebook and Strava (actually it was probably Endomondo for me first) came along, I started posting my daily training runs on Facebook… then I realised how insufferably dull that must be. “Look at me, aren’t I awesome?”

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brazilish@reddit

Nah it’s not insufferable. I like seeing the people I like doing things that they’re proud of.

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eerefera@reddit

I had forgotten all about Endomondo until just now

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Munsteroyal@reddit

Exactly this!

Also to add, I got crucified for doing an event for fun and not for charity!

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just_some_guy65@reddit

Agreed, I am regularly met with shock turning to disdain and then pity when I confess that I am not on any form of social media as myself in any overtly identifiable way. People have been brainwashed by Zuckerberg that this is only done by people with something to hide.

I am also a runner but I only tend to let on to other people who I can see are wearing a Garmin.

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Geeky_Monkey@reddit

Because it’s healthy, and there’s no gym membership costs or expensive equipment to buy.

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LukasKhan_UK@reddit

Just expensive entrance fees and running shoes

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Geeky_Monkey@reddit

Once you’ve bought the shoes running is free.

Obviously if you want to enter events where you get a medal and a t-shirt you need to pay to enter but it’s like £25, that’s less than a months gym membership.

And you can run without entering events. It’s really easy - just pick a direction and go. Nobody’s gonna charge you for that.

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LukasKhan_UK@reddit

Great North Run was £70 before you even consider accomodation and Travel. It's southern counter part is also close to that

I don't know how much London Landmarks cost on the ballot, but I had to raise £350 for it (albeit, massively reduced entrance fee) - but still had to travel

I concede that running is "free" once you have paid for gear, but it can also be far more expensive too

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GrimQuim@reddit

Yeah but you could just run the route another day for free.

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Sorryimeantto@reddit

Yeah but people need aim. Jeez all those weirdos why do they participate in events like this right?

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Askduds@reddit

They hate this one simple trick!

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CarelessTangerine185@reddit

Yeah I tend to stay away from the big commercial races. Not just for cost, but also becaause they're actually quite annoying to run e.g. people not understanding running etiquette, walking in huge packs after the first mile, stopping dead in the middle of the road without warning.

The less swanky races tend to be cheaper and more fun, usually staffed by volunteers who you start to recognise after a while. I've got quite got friendly with a couple of the marshals who regularly do the trail races in my area. Its lovely to see a friendly face mid run!!

Parkrun is also great!

(Totally with you on the shoes front though, that's where the real cost lies)

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LukasKhan_UK@reddit

I do, what I consider, a good range of races, from these large events, to ones by local organisers, or club events part of a county series (as well Parkrun)

I guess my point is that if you enter stuff regularly, it very quickly adds up. Sure, with running you don't need to - the annual half marathon in my town is a route which can be run whenever - but it's nice to get that validation every now and then which a medal gives you.

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CarelessTangerine185@reddit

Yeah I've got a friend who's just started running and is really motivated by the medals and tshirts! Think she's spent about 300 quid on race entries for the summer, so I do get that it can easily become a very costly hobby.

I think the good thing about running is that it can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be (unlike triathlon - dabbled in that a couple of years ago and jeeeesus)

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ClassOf37@reddit

It’s a very cheap hobby. You don’t have to enter 20 races a year - that’s entirely up to the individual runner. Local low-profile events are much cheaper than events which close an entire city centre, but a lot of people miss the social media adulation of having run the most instagrammable events.

Joining a running club (mine is £50pa or 80p per week) provides structured training, peer support, and an entry to closed leagues of races, which are usually £0-£5 each - just enough to cover a set of race bibs for everyone and a first-aider on standby.

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LukasKhan_UK@reddit

Maybe I needed to stick a /s on the end of my post.

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InsectOk5816@reddit

And the increase in laundry detergent cost as you've got more kit to wash

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DaveBeBad@reddit

Hang it to dry. Febreeze. Sorted. Wash it weekly

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coachhunter2@reddit

Sorry to be annoying, but there is some evidence that running marathons can increase the chance of heart problems

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alexterm@reddit

Study disproving: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445091/

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coachhunter2@reddit

Sorry but that doesn’t disprove it - at best you can say the evidence is not clear cut. And there were studies after that was published (2010).

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VolcanicBoar@reddit

Aye. I'm here for a good time, not a long time.

Is there evidence that sitting on your arse all day doesn't?

Existing causes heart problems.

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Hatertraito@reddit

Because it's about this age you either live in the pub every weekend or you say fuck this shit I'm getting healthy. And the best way to keep motivation for training is to have a goal. Signing up for a marathon 6 months away will keep you on the road a few days a week

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lebannax@reddit

But there's 'healthy' and then there's torturing yourself - why can't people find a middle ground lol

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dong_von_throbber@reddit

a marathon is just SO extreme and often quite bad for your body

I've heard this said a lot but it's never a fit and healthy person saying it.

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Sorryimeantto@reddit

Have you heard of deaths at marathons?

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lebannax@reddit

I play sport 3x per week, walk 1.5hrs per day and have done long distance running, but ok

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dong_von_throbber@reddit

have done long distance running

I'm sure you have.

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lebannax@reddit

lol what?

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PinkSudoku13@reddit

Wanna talk about torturing? I picked up ballet as an adult. It's masochism at this point with the amount of hours I put in it but I absolutely love it. What you find torture is another person's idea of a good time.

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lebannax@reddit

But that's what I mean - some people seem to enjoy 'pushing themselves to the limit' and feeling a certain amount of pain, which is of course a bit puzzling psychologically

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PinkSudoku13@reddit

except that you don't feel pain when you do it properly. You don't start with running a full marathon, you start slowly. And excercise releases endorphins and that exhaustion is pleasurable. Running is also like swimming or dancing, if it's what you love, you get in a flow state where you stop noticing the world around you, it's like meditation but better.

some people seem to enjoy 'pushing themselves to the limit' and feeling a certain amount of pain, which is of course a bit puzzling psychologically

there are studies done on it. Juts because you don't understand it doens't make it any less valid. You may like to avoid pain at all cost but pain is a natural reaction, pushing our bodies to our limits allows us to grow and feel alive. If you only exercise within your limits, you will never progress.

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CarelessTangerine185@reddit

See I wouldn't say it's torturing myself to run long distances. I personally love an ultra, as its a good day out in beautiful scenery with all my favourite snacks. I actually find shorter, faster distances harder and more impactful on my body.

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Sorryimeantto@reddit

Marathons aren't healthy

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Sorryimeantto@reddit

People feel unfulfilled maybe want some accomplishment and have energy to do it

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captain_son@reddit

It’s definitely more trendy now, with social media being so huge. My friend follows a bunch of girls on TikTok who run. A few of them are now taking up cycling / triathlon as a next step from running marathon distances.

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Bacon-80@reddit

My sister does the OC (Cali) run club 😂 cuz of the girl who hosts them, on TikTok!

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TrifectaOfSquish@reddit

Practice for running from hordes of zombies

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geeered@reddit

Runners high many people get - sadly not me - you're hitting opioid receptors amongst others, so while it can lead to various injuries, overall it's probably a lot better way for you than say heroine to achieve that!

It's a nice target to aim for getting yourself decently fit.

Training can be quite social.

It becomes a main hobby and focus for many people.

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RoyalMaleGigalo@reddit

Because peoples lives are so fucking mundane now they feel the need to achieve something. We're built to move, to graft and we're all just sat around doing nothing. People's ego's need stroking somehow.

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Askduds@reddit

Of all the things Gen Z are claiming to have invented, "Running" is a bold one.

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Important-Constant25@reddit

What else do people do with their lives? Have kids, get really into exercise, pick up some other random hobby. Exercise is a good one though as everyone is vain and its also like the number one thing people get recommended to them when they are unhappy. Couldn't think of anything worse just like a cattle crush but I'm paying for it and its also torture?

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lebannax@reddit

omg I know I don't get marathons as they are actual torture - why not just do fun exercise like go for a hike or play a sport? It's the masochism of marathons I really don't get

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lebannax@reddit

Literally been thinking the same thing. It's such a massive time/energy investment - what's the point? If you want to be fit, just run a 5k, but what's the point of spending your whole life running.. for what?

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terryjuicelawson@reddit

I've noticed this too, it is just another trend. Starts off doing couch to 5k to get a bit fitter, maybe do some parkruns when they get more confident, start logging everything on Strava, next thing you know all they do is post stuff about PBs, training runs and preparing for a marathon. It escalates sort of naturally, I know several people who have done this. I guess the difference between people who ran in the past is they can do all this online and get a lot of help improving (something about intervals and strides one person keeps going on about?) and it was for fitness. Marathons (or a half, or 10k) give shiny medals and added clout, and every town seems to have one. The level up after that is doing ultra marathons. One person has tied it in with doing ice cold dips after or wild swimming then donnin a dry robe and posting all that on social media, it is like a double twat whammy.

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vientianna@reddit

Why are they a twat for posting about something they enjoy doing?

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LukasKhan_UK@reddit

You've literally described how people have got into running since running has existed.

With the exception of Strava and an organised 5k

It's not a trend. People have always run. It seems to be a trend because social media algorithms start shoving it down your throat.

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terryjuicelawson@reddit

The trend isn't necessarily running, but more people are taking running seriously anyway (rather than "jogging" for fitness). It is constantly chasing the next 10k, the next half marathon, it is definitely on the up from a couple of decades ago when people could well have posted it online if they wanted to.

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dong_von_throbber@reddit

Weirdly bitter post. Most runners aren't winning medals, the primary aim for any runner is most likely just fitness.

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panic_attack_999@reddit

They probably consider this guy a friend, and he's calling them names on Reddit because their social media posts remind him of his own laziness.

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billbixbyakahulk@reddit

Right now, it's pickle ball in the US. Shrug. You just never know which trend will get hot. That said, I grew up in a running and cross country family, was a miler as a kid in the '80s, and everyone from my generation knows about Roger Bannister and Steve Scott. If this trend increases the popularity of the sport and produces some new champions, I'm all for it!

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DrH1983@reddit

I'm more perplexed by just how many people go to gyms these days.

It's not a bad thing, but in my late teens and early twenties (in the early 2000's) it felt like most people didn't go to the gym.

These days even my friends kids are going to the gym regularly. And I think running is just part of that.

Social media definitely amplifies that people are going but I think we're generally more health (or maybe image) conscious as a society than 20 years ago.

It even extends to media. Look at Hugh Jackman in the first X-Men film, that was considered fairly muscular at the time, but these days that's just how a "normal" guy on screen is expected to look.

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QuinlanResistance@reddit

It’s that time of year spring and autumn

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VolcanicBoar@reddit

Marathons?

I'm (absolutely fucking terrified at the fact I'm) doing an ironman.

Seriously, kudos to everyone getting out there and doing anything at all.

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thecuriousiguana@reddit

"how do you know someone is running a marathon?"

"They bloody tell you about it"

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Turbulent-Diver5937@reddit

Hardest Geezer effect

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bishibashi@reddit

If you think they’re bad now wait until they get into Ironman

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Breakwaterbot@reddit

Imagine people trying to do things to stay healthy. Whatever next? Cycling? Not eating pizza for breakfast? Drinking water instead of Monster.

The world's gone mad!

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octopus-burger@reddit (OP)

I’m not trying to frame it as negative - I think exercise is great.

I’ve just noticed a bit of a trend recently, that’s all.

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Global_Amoeba_3910@reddit

These runs happen a lot in summer, so practically anyone who would be doing them you would be more likely to hear about at this time of year.

As to why, I had never run before and signed up to one cos it sounded like a decent challenge. The day itself is really motivating and you feel great after. So I challenged myself to do one further and so on. It’s a motivator to keep fit and it’s a good personal achievement.

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LukasKhan_UK@reddit

Don't forget this "noticed a trend" also fuelled by algorithms based on what you and your friends search for a communicate about, can create the impression that it's very prevalent

Still, only about 1% of the global population have completed a full distance marathon

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Best_Document_5211@reddit

You and op seem to have a lot in common based on the way you both communicate.

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H16HP01N7@reddit

Everyone?

I don't think I know a single person that will be running a marathon.

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cuccir@reddit

A lot of people do take up running between 25 and 35. This isn't a new thing, though it will be new to you if you're that age.

It's a mixture of things. Stamina tends to build through your 20s while acceleration and agility drop off, so compared to other sports you often improve and peak in your early 30s. Long distance running also requires a patience that lots of people only develop during their 20s.

It's a sport which can be done flexibly around work and parenting, compared to team sports which fit better around the more flexible timetable of youth.

People pick up knocks and injuries from impacts in said team sports and so can't do them any more.

As you age, you start to see more quickly the impacts of not exercising. Under 25s can get away with living pretty unhealthily without seeing an immediate impact on their bodies. That drops away.

All of these things push people towards picking up running at some point either side of 30.

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Enough-Ad3818@reddit

I can relate to a couple of your points. I started running aged 30, and had previously been an ice hockey player. However, at 30, the collisions hurt more, and took longer to heal.

I was also getting slower, and my standing start to full speed times were getting longer.

At 23, when I was playing a LOT, I could play 2 games in 2 nights. At 30 when I hung up my skates, I would play a game on the Friday night, and I was unable to properly walk for the whole weekend.

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dayus9@reddit

Probably because summer is not far off now.

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ficus77@reddit

If it's for a cause, then maybe it shows that generation are more altruistic.

Running 26.2 miles in one sitting is no small feat (finisher here - respectable 4h 55m - took 18 weeks of training) and people like a challenge.

Plus I feel like there's more marathon events today than there were maybe in the 90s and back.

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