Why run a marathon?

It’s a common question. Running a marathon is no easy feat. It is a distance completed by about 0.01% of the world’s population each year – which is still 1,000,000 people and a Bonafide habit for many. I was curious about my physical ability to complete one, and what drew people towards the challenge.

Running 26.2 miles (42.2 km) is an achievement that requires determination, endurance, and preparation. It’s a monumental test of both physical and mental strength, but the reasons why people choose to take on this challenge are as varied as the individuals themselves.

Whether for health benefits, personal growth, or a sense of accomplishment, running a marathon offers a range of rewards that make the many grueling miles worth the effort. In this article, we will explore the main reasons why someone might choose to run a marathon.

Personal achievement and goal setting

For me, running a marathon was on my bucket list. Specifically, running the iconic New York City marathon was a long-standing goal. My dream was to run the 50th anniversary of this event in 2020, on my 50th birthday. The goal was aligned with running the distance with my closest friend and then staying on to celebrate with family in my hometown of Manhattan.

Of course, the 2020 event was canceled, followed by the 2021 event as a virtual option only, So when 2022 finally came around, the post-pandemic in-person event was one I surely wasn’t going to miss.

As a former athlete and avid runner of shorter distances (I have completed dozens of 10K and half-marathons), I was confident in my ability to commit to training and completing a decently paced first marathon. I sought support from a good friend who had plenty of marathon experience. She gave me a 16-week training program with the advice that “the hardest part is getting to the start line.” I laughed and thought it to be an odd statement…isn’t the hardest part the race itself, and getting to the finish line? I would soon learn precisely what she meant.

In general, one of the most compelling reasons people run marathons is for the personal achievement it represents. Completing a marathon is not something most people can easily do, and finishing one gives a deep sense of pride and accomplishment. The idea of setting a challenging, long-term goal and seeing it through is fulfilling. Training for a marathon requires discipline and commitment, and crossing the finish line is the realization of a dream.

Marathon runners often speak of the satisfaction that comes with setting a big goal, working steadily toward it, and finally achieving it. Whether it’s running your first marathon or aiming for a personal best time, these goals can provide a tangible sense of progress and purpose.

However, I learned marathon runners also speak of injury – how to mitigate overtraining and avoid common running injuries is critical to the task, especially among the 50+ crowd.

Physical health and fitness benefits

Without a doubt, running a marathon demands a high level of physical fitness. The act of running itself has numerous benefits for cardiovascular health, muscular endurance, and enhanced bone density. Regular training helps improve general conditioning – from stronger leg muscles to improved lung capacity, and overall stamina.

For many people, preparing for a marathon is an opportunity to develop healthier habits. They may start running to lose weight, reduce stress, or manage chronic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. In my experience, the mental health benefits of running matches and often outweighs the physical. The combination of being outdoors, the meditative steady repetition of my foot strike, and the release of endorphins, all result in reducing anxiety, depression, and stress.

Moreover, marathon training often encourages people to pay attention to their nutrition, sleep, and other aspects of a healthy lifestyle. The discipline of marathon preparation fosters a holistic approach to well-being.

The counter to all these positive benefits is again, the risk of injury. All that running needs to be coupled with strength training, mobility, and quality rest and recovery. 8 weeks into my training program I started to experience sharp knee pain. After a few physiotherapy visits, it was undeniable that I had IT band syndrome – a benign but incredibly painful condition where the tightness of the gluteus medius pulls on the ligament that crosses the outside of the knee joint, creating friction, inflammation, and stabbing pain on every step. The only way to recover is to not run. I was devastated, but undeterred.

Mental toughness and resilience

This is when my friend’s words about getting to the starting line started to truly resonate. To stay on course, I had to drastically alter my training regimen. I focused on running in water, cycling, and using an elliptical machine. The joy of being outdoors was now replaced by these necessary indoor alternatives. The discipline required to not run even in moments of being pain-free, was immense. The disappointment in adjusting my expected finishing time was also humbling.

The experience taught me how running a marathon is as much a mental challenge as it is a physical one. Knowing when to push through discomfort or pain and when to honor your body’s messages is its own lesson in mental toughness, adaptation, and resilience.

Overcoming obstacles, whether training in cold/wet weather or unbearable heat, recovering from injuries, or battling self-doubt during training and racing, teaches valuable life lessons. I managed to power through on race day. Despite the nagging pain, the excitement of the energizing crowd (and a few ibuprofen pills) made for a most memorable and exhilarating experience.

Like many marathoners before me, I came to understand that the human mind can be just as powerful as the body in achieving a seemingly impossible feat. The perseverance required to push past the discomfort and finish a marathon transfers to other areas of life, fostering resilience in both personal and professional challenges.

Sense of community and camaraderie

As mentioned, beyond completing my first marathon, my other strong motivators were to complete the race with a friend to whom I had made a commitment. Likewise, I was excited to see my brother and nephew at the finish line and enjoy visiting with them afterward. These memories in the making were of deeper value than the run itself.

Running a marathon can be a surprisingly satisfying social experience. While I trained from a distance with my friend, comparing programs and progress was an added layer to our regular chats and something we will always bond over. Whether through a running buddy, running clubs, online forums, or training groups, runners often develop strong bonds with other runners who share the same goal or passion. The running community is a supportive, encouraging environment where people celebrate each other’s achievements, offer advice, and help each other through tough times.

At the event, that generosity of spirit among runners permeated throughout, with a palpable sense of camaraderie. Even though each runner is racing for themselves, there is a collective energy that creates instant connectedness and community. Strangers cheer for one another, offer high fives, and share in triumphs and struggles. The emotional support that runners provide for each other, especially in the final miles, can make all the difference when fatigue and doubt begin to set in.

This shared experience often leads to lifelong friendships. Many marathon runners stay connected after their race, continuing to support each other in future endeavors, whether in running or other aspects of life.

Inspiration and role modeling

Running a marathon can also be a source of inspiration for others. Even though I was in the race facing my own struggles, I saw others who were in even more pain and discomfort who in turn were inspiring me to keep going.

I also became acutely aware of how my effort inspired my own network of friends, family, and coworkers. Whether in fitness or other areas of life, the act of training for and completing a marathon or any huge physical feat, has the inevitable upside of inspiring those around you. In this way, runners become role models for perseverance, health, and dedication, showing that achieving big dreams is indeed possible with commitment and effort.

This aspect of the marathon journey and its potential positive ripple effect makes it a natural fit for raising awareness or fundraising for charitable causes. Many marathoners choose to run on behalf of charities, using their physical challenge to inspire others to give or raise awareness for important issues. This gives the marathon even greater meaning, as it goes beyond personal achievement and contributes to something larger than oneself.

The joy of adventure and exploration

In the afterglow of the NYC 2022 marathon, although I was severely stiff and sore (and suspected my toenails wouldn’t look the same for a long while!) I gained an awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the unique marathon culture. The friendships made and the strong sense of “see you next time” was ever-present. I learned of the Abbott 6-Star Majors – the goal of completing the famous 6 marathons in Tokyo, Berlin, London, Boston, Chicago, and New York. Whether it’s those events or other fantastic international running events – marathons are certainly a dynamic way to enhance your travel and global community through a vibrant running culture.

Beyond the 6-Star cities, many races take runners through beautiful landscapes, offering the opportunity to experience cities or nature in a unique and unforgettable way.

For people who love travel or exploration, a marathon can be a great reason to visit a new city or country. Running through different environments allows participants to see the world from a different perspective—on foot and at a slower pace than usual, which can be a deeply enriching experience. Further, engaging with the people of the region – both spectators and fellow competitors – can cement friendships like few other events can.

Challenge and the thrill of competition

While my goal for my first marathon was to simply finish, I can now reflect and admit that running another event (ideally injury-free!) is compelling and motivating. My competitive juices flow as I start to set my sights on where I might like to run, and what finishing time I think I can beat.

I am drawn both to the personal challenge and the thrill of competition. The opportunity to test myself against other runners, push my limits, and compete for a better time or place is a major motivating factor. The competitive aspect of marathon running can be highly motivating and even addictive, especially for those who enjoy setting personal records or achieving a specific time goal.

For elite athletes or those pursuing a personal best, the challenge of completing a marathon in the shortest time possible is an exhilarating experience. However, even for non-competitive runners, the idea of testing one’s abilities and improving on past performances offers a rewarding sense of accomplishment.

The next one…

It took a while to get there, but 3 years later I’m now ready to commit to the next event. Running is hard on the body but undeniably electric for the spirit and uplifting for the soul. A marathon is more than just completing a race; it’s an opportunity for personal growth, physical health, and emotional fulfillment. Whether it’s about achieving a long-sought goal, improving fitness, building resilience, or becoming part of a supportive community, the marathon experience offers numerous benefits that extend far beyond the finish line.

For some, it’s about pushing their physical limits, while for others, it’s about the sense of adventure or the joy of raising awareness for a cause. The marathon journey is unique for each individual, but the rewards are universal: a deeper sense of self-confidence, a body and mind transformed by the process, and a community of like-minded individuals who celebrate the beauty of human perseverance. So, why run a marathon? For the challenge. For the growth. For the sense of accomplishment. And ultimately, for the joy of crossing that finish line, knowing you’ve given it everything you’ve got. See you at the starting line!