People run marathons because of herd culture

I think there are likely a lot of people that get the FOMO and thats their main driver for racing, sure. But people have various reasons for why they run/race its not all boiled down to herd mentality. For me I was running on trails for years just because I enjoyed it for multiple reasons, on my own without ever even knowing long trail races were a thing. Then I found out about the world and community of ultra trail racing and got sucked in. There was no external driver at all since I didnt know a single other person who was doing what I was.

Yeah, I got up at 4 am yesterday to do a workout so I can tell other people about it.

Moron.

I understand the tendency to get irritated at the proliferation of "runners" that we see nowadays, but I think it's misguided. I'm happy that more people than ever get out and run for fitness. For one, running is fun and great and I want more people to experience it. Also, it increases the chance they'll put their own children in track and/or xc. That further has the potential to increase both the talent pool for American runners and the amount of people who are interested in and follow professional running.

On the flip side, hobby joggers and casual "marathoners" are super annoying for a lot of reasons. Primarily (for me at least), it's because they buy super expensive clothes, shoes, and gadgets and then loudly proclaim to everyone they're a "runner"–all the while running 15-25 miles a week at 10-11min per mile pace (few to no workouts) and can barely stumble through a 4hr marathon. Non-runners may be impressed, but "real" former- and current-HS and college runners know that what these hobby joggers are doing requires minimal dedication and effort as compared to what they did (or still do). I'd personally be happier if these people would just shut up and keep to themselves. But I suppose it's a fair price to pay for the increased interest in running (which, again, I think is a very good thing).

Disagree. With marathon, you are already a runner and likely like it. So OP might be correct. whats so magical about 26.2 miles? Nothing, just pop culture. To your point, I dont know too many people who thought running XC would be fun and cool or easy? Its easily the hardest sport, I love running and hated XC (add weather for misery here in the north). XC is not socially cool at all. Running is the punishment of other sports. XC is the opposite of herd mentality to me. Save for the one or two honor roll kids who need some sport for their CV or resume and suffer through one season.

Why is it every sport has someone who begrudges someone wanting to buy some nice equipment if they want to? Its running, the equipment is already cheap as dirt. Try Cycling or skiing or rowing. If you run 10 miles week, go ahead and buy a sweet Garmin and some supershoes if you darn well want to.

They run marathons because Oprah ran one a generation ago? Nah. They run them for the same reason I do - free post-race snacks and a medal to wear around the house naked to asssert dominance over our spouses and concubines.

Why does it matter? Congrats, you run on a track, youre cool, we get it. You understand youre everything thats wrong with running right? People always complain about how running doesn't get the recognition it deserves on a national level. Well thank people like this who hold these opinions for that.

Maybe you're right. Part of it, at least for me, is that not only do many hobby joggers think that expensive equipment makes them "runners" (it doesn't), but also most people who actually put in the hard work and take running seriously don't have large disposable incomes (like myself). At road races, it can be frustrating to see a bunch of chubby middle-aged people decked out in expensive gear with earbuds in about to shuffle a 35-min 5k when you're wearing an old, worn out pair of shorts and a singlet with the same Garmin you saved up for 5 years ago and shoes you probably shouldn't have splurged on.

You're mistaken. I think most people on this site have salaries well into six figures, luxury yachts, and beautiful trophy wives.

I guess I should also clarify: I know that I'm being a little too envious here. Plus, as I said before, I want everyone to enjoy running, even the 35-min 5k people. Besides, my 5k time is probably much worse than many people reading this, not to mention most "serious" college runners.

Ι agree. 42k is a silly distance to run, especially if you are untrained like most. It is also an unhealthy activity and you end up looking sick anyway. Most people run the marathon for insta pics and/or as a solution to psychological problems. I also dislike the business side of it.

My problem is that when I tell the newer runners in our club it is healthier to try to run a good 5000 first, they feel someone with multiple marathons is more knowledgeable, no matter that they run them in 5+ hours. I always felt a race that lasts about 20 minutes to be ideal, whether you are running 2 miles or 4 miles.

real runners run because they love the sport, regardless of the distance. real runners don’t dismiss people who were inspired by others to do a race as fake or inferior. sounds like you might be insecure about your own running abilities, bud.

This used to be true especially in the late 2000's / 2010s due to what I call the Rock n Roll effect - everyone and their mom wanted to one even if it meant just finishing and walking for most of the way. But I feel like the marathon is being reclaimed by runners with less walkers and super slow runners signing up for the races. Probably the biggest deterrent is the exorbitant price of races nowadays. Speaking of Rock n roll - as a testament to the loss of interest in the marathon distance - they barely have any marathons left anymore.

I absolutely hate this flawed logic, and I've met a lot of people who have regurgitated the same garbage. Look, the rest of your post I don't have issues with. You do you, bro. Except it's 'to', not 'too'.

People run track races in their young years because once you hit typical 'marathoning' age, the window to hit your best times across shorter distances has come and gone. It's an unfortunate reality of human physiology and the recruitment/dissipation of fast-twitch muscle.

It also allows runners to slowly develop a base over time, rather than jumping into full-blown marathon training at a young age, which can be disastrous long-term.

Now, I'm, NOT saying that you won't be a faster marathoner if you don't start training for it early on. Who knows. I sure don't.

What I AM Saying is that it's a waste of your fast years, and you'll never know what you could have run over those track distances. Again, it's clear that doesn't matter to you, so more power to you. But stop pretending it's just trendy that people focus on the track in high school through college. It's not. It just makes sense physiologically.

No one cares what they're buying. It's that their public posting about what they're doing cheapens the idea of what it takes to be a great runner. They're going for completion, not to be fast. One is far, far easier than the other.

You could take the average American off their couch today and they could walk a mararthon. Might take them 16 hours, but it'll happen. But it takes decades of training and perfect genetics to be Kipchoge.

Although the OP didn't really explain it. I get what he means. It's the same people that were into tough mudders and other obstacle course races as well. Also the same people that love collecting medals and other race swag.

Real runners just like a good race, have it be track, Xc or roads and at a minimum cost. Usually the type of races you'll find within your local club.

I agree but not with your reasons. I've seen way more people do marathons because all the people in their local running circle run marathons and then keep doing that same distance because it's the only distance their local running circle talks about as opposed to some celebrity running in a charity spot at Boston, NYC, Chicago, etc.

It's also really difficult when the road running scene goes straight from a ton of 5k's straight to 13.1 and then straight to 26.2. There's not a widespread scene of 8k, 10k, 10-Mile, 15k in the general public. I think if people had a chance to do some of those distances in a local racing circuit you'd see quite a few more people consistently signing up for races as opposed to dropping $300+ for a single big city marathon in the spring and fall.

This guy doesn't know the difference between running and racing