Why the long distance runner isn’t quite so lonely any more

ANYONE who has ever run a marathon will tell you how hard they are. Two years ago I did the Great North Run, which is only half the distance, and when I finally staggered across the finishing line the idea of turning round and running back from where I’d just come from filled me with dread.

Marathons certainly aren’t for the faint-hearted, or those with dodgy knees. We’re talking just over 26 miles (further than the distance between York and Leeds) and yet it appears increasing numbers of us are willing to give it a go, with more marathons cropping up across the country and an ever-growing community of long distance runners.

Earlier this month the first 
ever Plusnet Yorkshire Marathon sold out its 5,500 places after just three days. You might not think this is particularly surprising given that the race, which is being staged as a legacy to inspirational fundraiser Jane Tomlinson, takes in some of Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside and, perhaps more importantly, will be run over flat ground.

But it’s not alone. There’s the London Marathon, of course, which has become famous all over the world, while 2012 saw the Manchester Marathon return after a 10 year absence, as well as the inaugural Marathon of the North in Sunderland. There are of plenty of other big events in the north, too, including the Blackpool Marathon and the White Peak Marathon in Derbyshire.

Dr Ian Richards, a senior sports lecturer at Leeds Metropolitan University, thinks there’s a resurgence of interest in marathon running. “There was a running boom in the late 1970s and early 80s and a lot of cities had their own marathons, including Leeds. Then they started to disappear, either because of health and safety issues or the costs involved in organising them and closing the roads. But there’s been a bit of resurgence in the past 10 years or so,” he says.

“There’s been a rebirth, too, in the number of 10k runs and this mass participation has largely been driven by charities like The Jane Tomlinson Appeal.”

However, doing a marathon remains a tough challenge whether you’re Paula Radcliffe or just an average fun runner. “It’s still an endurance test and it’s one of those challenges people like to tick off their list, so you get a lot of people just doing one. They might start off doing a 10k, then the Great North Run and the next step up is a marathon.”

He says community events like Parkrun, which organise free, weekly runs for people of all abilities in local parks up and down the country, have made running more accessible. “It’s no longer just about elite athletes like it was in the past. People who might be a bit scared about going to a running track or an athletics club will go to their local park because it feels more inclusive.”

It’s also fairly cheap. “It costs money to enter marathons but you don’t need specialist equipment and there are plenty of places where you can go for a run.”

Georgina Burnett, a life coach and the reviews editor for Women’s Running Magazine, says more people see a marathon as an achievable goal. “Taking the plunge to train for a marathon takes a certain amount of belief that you can do it.

“Whereas years ago we may have only seen serious athletes and runners pounding the pavements, these days we see all shapes and sizes crossing the line so it helps to contribute towards that belief that anyone can do it.”

She also thinks it’s easier for people to find out about marathons. “The internet has made it so easy to find out about races, how to train for them and even who to buddy up with, and all of that helps to eliminate some of the barriers we might have once seen.”

Running a marathon can also boost more than just your fitness. “For me personally, running my first marathon was one of the best days of my life, but it’s not just about the race itself. The goal setting, time management skills, focus and determination you need in your training is contagious and you find that other areas of your life improve as a knock-on effect.

“There is a tremendous sense of achievement with every mile you add on to your training runs each week, and that’s without mentioning the obvious benefits of fitness and weight management,” she says.

“If training for a marathon is done in a sensible way then it should be a sensible way to get fit. Injuries usually occur when runners try and do too much, too soon. However, if you follow a realistic training plan, eat intelligently and include weekly strengthening sessions, there is nothing better than the goal of a marathon to take you to peak fitness.”