Marathon

mar·a·thon

ˈmarəˌTHän/

noun: marathon; plural noun: marathons

1. a long-distance running race, strictly one of 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 km)

Since I started running, I’ve heard some people refer to races as ‘marathons,’ and frankly, it irks me a little bit. As the definition above says, a marathon is “strictly one of 26 miles and 385 yards.” It is not a 5K, it is not a 10K, it is not an ultra.

I had one friend say to me, “oh, you’re running? So and so runs about 30 – 40 marathons a year.” Ummm…exqueeeze me? Is this person in Runners World magazine? If so, I’d like to meet them.

I even had a friend refer to a 5K as a marathon. I simply give them the stink eye and wish them well on their 5K (not marathon).

The problem is, I don’t want to sound like a marathon snob. I’m not. And, I don’t want anyone else to think I am, so I don’t lecture folks about it (I guess until now). I have one under my belt and I by no means think any distance less than 26.2 miles is nothing less than amazing. ALL RACES ARE AMAZING from the 400 meter dash to the 100 mile ultras. It takes a lot of effort to train for any of those races, but please call them what they are. If I ran 27 miles, I sure wouldn’t call it an Ultra as typically begin at 50K. Of course there are timed ultras, etc., but I digress.

So, if you’re just starting out with running and/or if you have no desire to run a marathon, embrace your distance and call it what it is. You’ve worked hard for the races you train for no matter what distance it is. You should be proud. I know I’m proud of you!