Marathon Explained: Precise Guide to Very Exhaustible Kind of Sport

Marathon is one of athletics kind of sport represented by a 42,195-meter running. The most popular marathons take place under the auspices and guidance of the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS).

Marathon competitions are held on highways but the word itself (what is distinct from similar long-distance running) is often referred to any long-distance races through the broken ground or in extremal conditions. In fact, it is the distance that makes the difference between the marathon and other kinds of races.

At the same time, there is also ultramarathon that is running for a longer distance. Semi-marathon is another popular distance that witnesses separate races, world championships, and official results with some records being fixed.

Although quarter marathon is not an official kind of sport in the world of athletics, this distance is gaining higher popularity among amateur runners since the early 21st century. It is a common case when all these kinds of marathons take place almost simultaneously under the auspices of the same tournament or body.

General Rules

All the marathon competitions are strictly governed by the rules developed by the AIMS. With this, there are certain requirements that are applied to tracks. Thus, the difference in elevation should meet the ration of 1/1000 meaning that an elevation of 1 meter is allowed for each kilometer. If the difference in elevation of a whole track is higher than 42 meters, all the results of the given marathon are said to be unofficial, and world records cannot be fixed. Another requirement is applied to the distance. As it has already been mentioned, marathon includes a distance of 42,195 meters, but this distance is the smallest allowed. With this, it should not be longer than 42,237 meters.

Commercial marathons are often accompanied by a simultaneous mass-start. Actually, however, it is impossible for all the runners to cross the starting line at the same time; the given process takes a few minutes. That is why at official marathons under the auspices of the AIMS, runners are equipped with special devices that tell the actual time of crossing the starting line.

Every finisher is judged not only according to the fact of finish itself, but also according to intermediate results as well as so-called “total” and “net” results. These phenomena denote the time a runner has overcome from the moment of actual start and from the moment of actual crossing the starting line, respectively. When it comes to the destination table, the results are placed in ascending order of “total” results that are also known as the official time. “Net” results can be included in runners’ certificates.

Physiology and Training

Sustainable tempo and watching a body hydration level are the two most important conditions for a runner to overcome the distance successfully and safely. Marathon track (as usual every 5 kilometers) is equipped with feeding stations where runners can take water, energy drink, and foods (bananas, dried fruits, and so on).

Long-distance running is the most significant part of training because this process teaches runners’ bodies to use their fats more efficiently and their muscles to accumulate more glycogen. It is not recommended to an amateur even to try to overcome the marathon distance; it will require an extremely essential recovery period. Usually, 35 kilometers are the longest distance that is overcome by runners while training. Approximately a month before the marathon, runners should decrease the intensity of the training process. When it comes to the last week before the event, runners are advised to overcome short distances only (5-10 kilometers).

Weather Factor and Starting Time

The highest results can be achieved only if the starting time is chosen perfectly and the external conditions are appropriate. The most suitable temperature for the marathon to take place is about 14-16 C. When the temperature increases, every additional degree is worth 40-60 seconds of final results. A temperature of more than 18 C can be dangerous for some runners, while that of 28 C and higher means that it is more reasonable to cancel the start. The fact here is that heat stroke is a real threat even for the most skillful and experienced runners.

At the same time, it is also necessary to remember that the temperature and solar insulation are far from determining factors resulting in the heat stroke. Thermal regulation processes occur thanks to air cooling and sweating. Special equipment, regular consumption of water, and a correct running strategy are extremely important to fight against the heat stroke.

Start of the most popular marathon is strictly connected to a date and is known in advance. Their routes are seldom changed, too. Although weather conditions are difficult to predict, the temperature is determined by a season. Usually, it refers to spring or autumn for countries with moderate climate, and winter for extremely warm places.

As a rule, commercial marathons begin in the first half of the day approximately at 8.30-11 a.m. When the marathon is a part of uncommercial events, the starting time can be connected to the common schedule as well as opening or closing ceremonies. In this case, the start can occur in the second half of the day.

Classification and Table of Events

As it has already been stated, there are two main kinds of marathons:

1. Uncommercial – they are a part of the Summer Olympics, World Championships, Europe Championships, and other official tournaments and competitions.
2. Commercial – these events are regularly held in the biggest world cities; they are open for everyone meaning any amateur runner can participate in such events.

There are also extremal marathons – for instance, races in deserts, mountains, forests, and so on. At the same time, some marathons are organized for charity or advertising purposes, rather than for sporting ones.

Highway marathons are governed by their own schedule, which is distinct from traditional athletic competitions organized at stadiums. Commercial marathons usually take place in March-April and September-October, which can be explained, among others, by the most suitable weather conditions. These events are not focused on running only; there are special events organized for physically disabled athletes.

As a rule for commercial marathons, men and women starts take place in the same days either together or with a 1-hour interval. Depending on a governing body, these starts can be separated to exclude the possibility of male and female athletes to meet at a track. At the same time, there can be also mixed starts.

Marathon is the only variation of highway running that is included in the number of Olympic kinds of sport. Apart from other sports, it is a common thing for marathon when leading runners do not participate in the Olympic games and other great uncommercial events. This can be explained by two reasons. Firstly, marathoners of a world level do not participate in such exhaustible events oftener than 2-3 times a year. That is why they should sort out priorities, and uncommercial competitions can be out of their schedule. As soon as the Summer Olympics and World Championships take place in August, this fact could make the marathoners completely change their training schedule, which is not a good thing. Secondly, it is clear that August can impress with much heater conditions if compared to spring and autumn. So, these runners do not want to participate in the uncommercial events because they are not sure they will be able to show the best results.

History of Distance

At first, the marathon distance was not stipulated, because the greatest attention was paid to the fact that all runners should have overcome the same route. In that case, the distance depended on the route that was unique for each separate Olympic Games.

The distance was chosen at random. At the first Olympic Games, it was 40 kilometers. 1908 witnessed as the distance was increased to 42 kilometers 195 meters to allow the Royal Family to watch the marathon from the windows of Windsor Castle. To tell the truth, there were six different variations of marathon distances over 20 years.

The final distance of 42,195 meters was affirmed by the International Association of Athletics Federations in 1921.

Olympic Tradition

As a rule, men marathon is said to be a closing event of athletics competitions with a track finishing at the main Olympic stadium, usually a few hours before a closing ceremony or as its part.