The Passion for Marathons

Roderick TehLHDT 548 Online Teaching and Evaluation

Fall Semester 2007

Excerpt from Robert Browning, Pheidippides

So, when Persia was dust, all cried, “To Acropolis!Run, Pheidippides, one race more! The meed is thy

due!Athens is saved, thank Pan, go shout!” He flung down

his shieldRan like fire once more: and the space ‘twixt the

fennel-fieldAnd Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs

through,Till in he broke” “Rejoice, we conquer!” Like wine

through clay,Joy in his blood bursting his heart, - the bliss!

What is a Marathon?

The marathon is an endurance race run on an open course of 26 miles 385 yards (or 42.2 km).

The first official marathon was held at the revived Olympic Games in 1896.

It commemorates the legendary feat of a Greek soldier who is said to have run from Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. to report the Greek victory at the Battle of Marathon, after which he dropped dead.

Marathons today are usually open events for both men and women, often run by thousands of participants, including the venerable Boston Marathon (established in 1897). The women's marathon became an Olympic event in 1984.

A Philosophical Perspective

A marathon is more than just another race, and those who run marathons develop a mindset that distinguishes them from other people.

Training for a marathon requires lots of patience, discipline, motivation, strength, and stamina.

Marathon runners learn to hone their focus, and by running such distances, they develop an uncanny ability to endure struggles in life.

We admire the individuals who train and participate in this endurance sport.

We are impressed by the steadfast rigor they invest over time, and the discipline they uphold for this sport.

Marathon runners experience a positive impact of this endurance sport on their lives.

A Photo Gallery of Marathon Runners

Interesting Marathon Statistics

According to MarathonGuide.com, there was a 3.7% growth in USA marathon finishers from 2005 to 2006.

Over the past few years, there has been a slight gain in the average age of marathon finishers.

By the end of 2007, we can expect at least a 2% growth in USA marathon finishers.

In 2007, the number of USA marathon finishers surpassed the 400,000 mark for the first time in history.

New York, Chicago and Honolulu continue in their top three rankings for the largest USA marathons in 2006.

There were at least 28 inaugural marathons in 2006.

Source: http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/2006RecapOverview.cfm

Marathon Demographics

In 2006, the average age of marathon finishers increased slightly to 40.7 years for men and 36.4 years for women.

The average time for men improved slightly to 4:31:26, while the average time for women slowed slightly to 5:06:36.

The fastest age group for men were 40-44 year-olds with a mean finishing time of 4:20:44.

The fastest times for women were posted by the 35-39 year-old age group who averaged a finishing time of 4:56:51.

Men aged 40-44 years represented the largest age group for marathon runners in 2006 (10% of all marathon finishers) .

The largest group for women was the age group 25-29 years (7.3% of all marathon finishers).

Source: http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/2006RecapOverview.cfm

Total USA Marathon Finishers2000-2006

[Source: http://www.marathon.com/]

  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Total Finishers

299,000

295,000

324,000

334,000

362,000

383,000

397,000

Annual Growth  

-1.30% 9.80% 3.10% 8.40% 5.80% 3.80%

Percent Male62.50

%62.10

%61.50

%60.90

%60.50

%60.00

%60.10

%

Percent Female

37.50%

37.90%

38.50%

39.10%

39.50%

40.00%

39.90%

Total USA Marathon Finishers2000-2006

[Source: http://www.marathonguide.com/]

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

USA Male and Female Marathon Finishers2000-2006

[Source: http://www.marathonguide.com/]

0.00%

10.00%

20.00%

30.00%

40.00%

50.00%

60.00%

70.00%

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006

Male

Female

Top 10 Largest USA Marathons[Source: http://www.marathonguide.com]

Marathon2006

Finishers2006 Rank

2005 Rank Growth

ING New York City Marathon 37,936 1 1 2.90%

LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon 33,618 2 2 1.90%

JAL Honolulu Marathon 24,573 3 3 1.50%

Marine Corps Marathon 20,879 4 5 9.30%

City of Los Angeles Marathon 20,169 5 4 0.90%

BAA Boston Marathon 19,688 6 6 12.20%

Rock 'n' Roll Marathon 15,771 7 7 -1.00%

Walt Disney World Marathon 10,125 8 10 31.10%

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon 8,215 9 9 6.00%

Portland Marathon 7,719 10 11 7.20%

The Benefits of Marathon Running

Increased energy Improved health Sense of accomplishment Enhanced emotional health Increased discipline Quality time outdoors Chance to show off Enhanced patience Great looking butt and legs Social networking Affordable endurance training

The Personality of a Marathon Runner

Marathon runners will tell you it’s not just about the marathon itself - it’s also about the training.

Marathon runners are typically successful in life. Marathon runners learn that nothing can prevent

them from attaining their goals in life. Marathon runners learn the value of managing their

time and day-to-day priorities. Marathon runners learn not to quit when the going

gets rough. Marathon runners learn how important planning is to

their ultimate success. Marathon runners learn how much effort is required

for a single successful race. Marathon runners are fun to hang out with because

they are really cool people.

Notable Marathon Runners

Male Marathoners

Dick Beardsley Haile Gebrselassie Ryan Hall Hal Higdon Khalid Kannouchi Meb Keflezighi Bill Rodgers Alberto Salazar Frank Shorter Paul Tergat Emil Zátopek

Women Marathoners

Berhane Adere Lidiya Grigoryeva Deena Kastor Catherine Ndereba Mizuki Noguchi Uta Pippig Paula Radcliffe Joan Benoit Samuelson Katherine Switzer Naoko Takahashi Zhou Chunxiu

Selected Marathons in Minnesota

Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon - October 5, 2008http://www.mtcmarathon.org/

Grandma’s Marathon - June 21, 2008http://www.grandmasmarathon.com/

Walker North Country Marathon - September 15, 2007http://walkernorthcountrymarathon.com/

Y’s Med-City Marathon - May 25, 2008http://www.medcitymarathon.com/

Photos from the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon

World Marathon Majors

BAA Boston Marathon - April 21, 2008http://www.bostonmarathon.org/

Berlin Marathon - September 28, 2008http://www.real-berlin-marathon.com/

Flora London Marathon - April 13, 2008http://www.london-marathon.co.uk/

ING New York City Marathon - November 2, 2008http://www.nycmarathon.org/

LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon - October 7, 2007http://www.chicagomarathon.com/

Photos from the Flora London MarathonLondon, Great Britain

Selected Marathons in Asia

Ana Beijing Marathon - October 21, 2007http://www.beijing-marathon.com/

Great Wall Marathon - May 17, 2008http://www.great-wall-marathon.com/

Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon - December 2, 2007http://www.singaporemarathon.com/

China Coast Marathon - January 20, 2008http://www.avohk.org/

Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon - January 20, 2008http://scmm.indiatimes.com/

Photos from the Great Wall MarathonTianjin Province, China

Selected Marathons in Europe

Paris International Marathon - April 6, 2008http://www.parismarathon.com/

Dresdner Kleinwort Frankfurt Marathon - October 26, 2008http://www.frankfurt-marathon.com/

Adidas Dublin Marathon - October 27, 2008http://adidasdublinmarathon.ie/

Vienna City Marathon - April 27, 2008http://www.vienna-marathon.com/

Stockholm Marathon - May 31, 2008http://www.stockholmmarathon.se/

City of Rome Marathon - March 16, 2008http://www.maratonadiroma.it/

Photos from the Stockholm MarathonStockholm, Sweden

Photos from the City of Rome MarathonRome, Italy

Selected Marathons in Canada

Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon - September 28, 2008http://www.torontowaterfrontmarathon.com/

ING Ottawa Marathon - May 25, 2008http://www.runottawa.com/

Niagara Falls International Marathon - October 26, 2008http://www.niagarafallsmarathon.com/

Bank of Montreal Vancouver Marathon - May 4, 2008http://www.bmovanmarathon.ca/

Selected Marathons Across the USA

Marine Corps Marathon - October 26, 2008http://www.marinemarathon.com/

Maui Marathon - September 14, 2008http://www.mauimarathon.com/

City of Los Angeles Marathon - March 2, 2008http://www.lamarathon.com/

AT&T Austin Marathon - February 17, 2008http://www.attaustinmarathon.com/

San Francisco Marathon - August 3, 2008http://www.runsfm.com/home.html

Wellstone’s Dallas White Rock Marathon - December 9, 2007http://www.runtherock.com/

Walt Disney World Marathon - January 13, 2008http://disneyworldsports.disney.go.com/

Zappos.com Las Vegas Marathon - December 2, 2007http://www.lvmarathon.com/

Cincinnati Flying Pig Marathon - May 4, 2008http://www.flyingpigmarathon.com/

Chevron Houston Marathon - January 13, 2008http://www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com/

Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon - May 18, 2008http://www.clevelandmarathon.com/

ING Miami Marathon - January 27, 2008http://www.ingmiamimarathon.com/

Photos from the Marine Corps MarathonWashington, District of Columbia

Photos from the ING New York City Marathon

New York City, New York

Selected Marathons in Australia & New Zealand

Canberra Marathon - April 13, 2008http://www.canberramarathon.com.au/

Blackmores Sydney Marathon - September 21, 2008http://www.runthebridge.com.au/

Samsung Melbourne Marathon - October 7, 2007http://www.melbournemarathon.com.au/

Gold Coast Airport Marathon - July 6, 2008http://www.goldcoastmarathon.com.au/

Adidas Auckland Marathon - November 2, 2008http://www.aucklandmarathon.co.nz/

Photos from the Gold Coast Airport Marathon

Queensland, Australia

Selected Marathons in South & Central America

City of Rio de Janeiro Marathon - June 29, 2008http://www.maratonadorio.com.br/

Mexico City International Marathon - August 26, 2007http://www.maraton.df.gob.mx/

Panama City International Marathon - August 10, 2008http://www.marathonpanama.com/

Reggae Marathon - December 6, 2008http://www.reggaemarathon.com/

Cayman Islands Marathon - December 7, 2008http://www.caymanislandsmarathon.com/

Photos from the Cayman Islands Marathon

Selected Magazines on Marathon Running

Runner’s Worldhttp://www.runnersworld.com/

Running Timeshttp://www.runningtimes.com/

Marathon and Beyondhttp://www.marathonandbeyond.com/

Marathon Magazinehttp://www.marathonmagazine.com/

Runner’s World & Running TimesOnline Resources

Runner’s World - http://www.runnersworld.com/Running Times - http://www.runningtimes.com/

Discussion Board Video Channel Training Tools Training Log Blog Community News Articles Travel Guide E-Newsletter

Great Articles from “The Runner’s World”

The marathon and your heart

http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--11405-0,00.html

The runner’s bodyhttp://www.runnersworld.com/runnersbody/

Recommended Books on Marathon Running

Suggested Reading Materials

John Bingham & Jenny Hadfield (2003). Marathoning for Mortals: A Regular Person’s Guide to the Joy of Running or Walking a Half Marathon or Marathon.

Gordon Bloch (1993). How to Train For and Run Your Best Marathon.

Dawn Dais (2007). The Nonrunner’s Marathon Guide for Women: Get Off Your Butt and On With Your Training.

Jack Daniels (2005). Daniel’s Running Formula: Proven Programs 800 m to the Marathon.

Jeff Galloway (2001). Marathon: You Can Do It!

Hal Higdon (2005). Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide: Advice, Plans, and Programs.

Tom Holland (2007). Marathon Method: The 16-Week Training Program That Prepares You to Finish a Full or Half Marathon in Your Best Time.

Dave Kuehls (1998). Four Months to a Four-Hour Marathon.

Pete Pfitzinger & Scott Douglas (2001). Advanced Marathoning.

Katherine Switzer & Roger Robinson (2006). 26.2: Marathon Stories.

Recommended DVD Resources

Running on the Sun Running Brave Marathon Challenge Without Limits Marathon

Selected YouTube Links on Marathon Running

Marathon Running Tipshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtNheA0D2Ck

Marathon Running: Leg Stretcheshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uwlgnsg7nPQ

Running My First Marathonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wZWx1nMx5oA

Running Blog With Running Tipshttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7ihKH-gCis

2006 Gold Coast Airport Marathonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPsddPCICrc

Dick and Rick Hoythttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXHP-6yWTOo

Dean Karnazes 50-50-50 Endurancehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3cxDp4f_jQ

New York City Marathon 2007http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7PxYuQqSL8http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnVnqij0a1c

San Francisco Marathonhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwnB4VTUSUohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lg5wTTpkNp0

Boston Marathon Course Videohttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKzYA39PSRY

Useful Web Resources

MarathonGuide.comhttp://www.marathonguide.com/

Minnesota Distance Running Associationhttp://www.runmdra.org/

Marathon Maniacshttp://www.marathonmaniacs.com/

50 States Marathon Clubhttp://www.50statesmarathonclub.com/

USA Track and Fieldhttp://www.usatf.org/

Association of International Marathons and Road Raceshttp://aimsworldrunning.org/

Running Planethttp://www.runningplanet.com/

Run the Nationhttp://www.runthenation.com/

All Sport Centralhttp://www.allsportcentral.com/

Marathon Infohttp://marathoninfo.free.fr/

42K195http://www.42k195.com/

Wikipediahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_marathon_races