Running the long race
I have never run a marathon. But I certainly respect this ancient race with its incredible history.
The very first marathon was marked by tragedy in the Olympic heartland of Greece in 490BCE. Pheidippides, or Philippides, was a Greek messenger involved in the Battle of Marathon, who ran 40km to Athens to deliver the good news of a Greek victory over the Persians. Apparently, he discarded the weight of his armoury and ran naked, dying from exertion upon conveying the news. An incredible story, but the stories don’t end there.
World marathon records definitely deserve respect, at 2.01.39 for men and 2.14.04 for women. Yes, the two-hour barrier has been unofficially broken by current world record holder, Eliud Kipchoge from Kenya. His time of 1:59:40 doesn’t count because he was supported by a team of pacesetters, a bike-riding support team providing water throughout the run, a car adopting lasers to identify optimal places to run on the road. Kipchoge also completed the feat in a pair of controversial shoes reportedly designed for speed and on a fast course. A long way from Philippides. For some nations, such as Kenya, the marathon is part of national identity.
Robert ‘Deek’ de Castella emphasised these points during his motivating speech at the start of the recent Gold Coast marathon. Even as a spectator, I felt ready to run after hearing his words: “Pain is temporary. The marathon is forever.” It brought me right back to a terrific memory I have of Deek closing in on the 1982 Commonwealth Games gold medal on Coronation Drive in my hometown of Brisbane. I still think of that run when I’m there – such are the memories that sporting moments like these create in a 12-year-old witness.
What a legacy Deek has created from marathon running, in coaching Indigenous Australians to run their first marathons through his Indigenous Marathon Foundation and with that, have more confidence to run through life and career and go on to lead communities. As many have pointed out, a marathon is not just a race. It is a test of character and resilience.
The marathon is also an analogy for life. It is about pacing, having a long-range view and pushing through the barriers. I can’t imagine what self-talk is needed to complete a marathon, but understand it is absolutely needed at about the 32 km mark and for the last 10km. What mental resilience must be needed at this time – literally mind over body to pull through.
So what makes sane people voluntarily sign up for that much stress and pain? Studies reveal a range of marathon motivations, including health, seeing the world, accomplishment, social esteem, psychological coping, life meaning, fundraising and role modelling, and even addiction to the endorphins of running. Motivations differ socio-demographically and by gender, with men citing accomplishment-oriented goals and females more social and life-meaning motivations.
As if running one marathon isn’t enough, evidence shows a high return rate for marathon runners. There are even clubs that encourage running multiple marathons with a set time, such as 3 marathons in 90 days. Crazy stuff! I still have to mentally prepare on a Friday evening for the Saturday morning 5km Park Run.
In the first modern Olympics in 1896, the marathon became one of the original events and is now one of the highest growth mass participation sports globally. Recreational global participation has increased significantly over the past decade at around 49%, with female participatory growth outperforming men’s by around 10%. Older runners are also increasing their participation in marathons and other endurance events such as ultra-marathons and half marathons. This trend is cross cultural.
Marathon events certainly stack up for sponsors. The world’s major marathons on average attract between 25,000 to 50,000 runners, and with them their entourages of family, partners, corporate supporters, and friends. The international nature of the majors aligns with travel and spending in host cities, which currently include New York, Boston, London, Tokyo, Berlin and Chicago.
COVID- prompted cancellations of these events around the world has heightened the appreciation of them. As mass participation events such as marathons grow in popularity, their reach expands beyond sport, delivering benefits for participants, spectators and members of the communities in which they occur. Charities also benefit, with many runners part of a corporate team, running group or doing individual fundraising for a cause as a means of gaining a prized participatory spot.
When someone trains for a marathon, it affects their family, work and friends. Many children of marathon runners sign up for the 5km events that are often held in conjunction with the marathon. Partners often become more health conscious by engaging in more exercise, even if they don’t sign up for the race. Workplaces often use a mass participation event like a marathon to garner their staff and teams and build a corporate socially responsible brand concerned with workplace wellbeing and belonging. Social networks are strengthened by regular interactions and a shared goal, often among strangers who have signed up to a running group or club to train for their marathon goal.
An iconic event such as a marathon can place a city on the global map. Communities benefit from the pride of hosting these events and the dispersed impact that a marathon course can have across a wide area. Communities exhibit this pride through their active support along the course of the marathon, providing much-needed encouragement, cheering and atmosphere. These supporters may have no connection to individual runners they are supporting but do so through the shared place that the marathon is run- a shared meaning for both residents and runners. Community identity and personality is on full display, from the pop up bands along the course, to the retirees and young families with picnics and fold up chairs getting behind the participants. International participants and sponsors visit, and with this comes extended stays and spending, in addition to masses of free marketing through social media posts. The Village Roadshow Theme Parks Gold Coast Marathon for example, delivers approximately $30 million to the local economy over a weekend. The visibility of numerous para-marathon participants and older runners is inspiring, and the stories behind their success incredible.
When an event is held regularly, such as an annual marathon, it has potential to strengthen host destination brand clout in addition to the immediate economic and social benefits. The transformational impact of marathons upon participants will mean that such positive memories are forged with the marathon host city forever, translating to powerful brand equity.
The marathon is the final Olympic event. And so it should be. It is deserving of respect for the challenge it presents, for its aspirational and economic value, and for its history. Time to start training!
About the Author
Professor Sarah Kelly, renowned for her global academic, leadership and governance expertise across education and sports management, drives forward-thinking initiatives to the world stage. A distinguished ‘prac-academic’, commercial lawyer and champion for inclusivity, Sarah leads with innovation and insight. For exclusive updates on the latest in sport, management, leadership, education, innovation, and research, subscribe at DrSarahKelly.com.au