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Marathon running is an olympic long distance running event of both males and females, normaly contested around city streets. A standard Marathon is run over 26.22 miles. This is an event demanding, fitness, endurance and tactics.
Popularity
Marathon running over recent years has become hugely popular with marathons and the newer distance of half marathon being run in towns and cities all over the UK and world. single races often attracting more than ten thousand runners.
Location
Marathons take place in town and city streets throughout the UK and the World, and over many different terrains. Some marathons may start and finish in a stadium but the main running is done in town or city streets.
Age
Marathon running is not an activity suitable for children. Most marathons set their own limits so it is worth checking with the organisers. Anybody wanting to run the London Marathon must be at least eighteen years old on the day of the race.
Ability
Completing a marathon is often considered to be a superhuman effort, but many coaches believe that it is possible for anyone who is willing to put in the time and effort. The maximum mileage involved, excluding warm up runs, is around 64 miles a week
Description
The marathon is a long-distance road running event of 42.195 km equall to 26.22 miles. Marathon races start with a mass start. Due to the large numbers involved in marathon races, runners are now electronically tagged so that individual times can be accurately recorded. Regular athlete watering and sponging stations are located along the coarse. Marathons have been run in under one and a quarter hours by elite marathon runners. To many runners the aim is to finish in under four or five hours.
Dedication
When training for the marathon the main aim is to increase fitness and build up stamina. Marathon training is a long gradual process involving many hours of road and gym training. To run a marathon, a prospective runner should start training months rather than weeks in advance. To attempt a full marathon each weeks training should include a long run, at least one and a half hours, increasing to two or more hours the last month before a race.
Potential
As each coarse is different there are no world records to be beaten just coarse records. To most marathon runners the potential is to Finish or beat there own personal best time. To some it is to compete at a particular event (London Marathon).
Closely
Related Activities
Marathon running seems to have attracted the most unlikely of activities to be related to. Long distance running, fun running and raising money for charity. In 2002 the London marathon runners raised thirty two million pounds for charity.
Voluntary Work
On race days help from voluntry course marshals, timekeepers and people prepared to man any course refreshment stations is nesasary.
Cost
Marathon running involves no other costs than a good pair of running shoes and athletic clothing, And the race entry fee. Travel costs to far events and the cost of any accommodation necessary must however be taken into account. Race entry fees vary from around ten to twenty-five pounds, although such is the popularity of marathon running most marathons now have a restriction system on competitor numbers, (ability and ballet).
Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.
 Energy |
| Arms
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| Legs
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| Sight
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| Hearing
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| Speech |
| Learning |
Please be advised that this record has not necessarily been reviewed by people with the expertise required to provide you with complete, accurate or reliable information. The information and images for this activity are supplied by the general public, Please contact us if there is a breach of copyright or you wish to improve the data.
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