tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-634747021655272465.post2132828706198270014..comments2023-09-02T09:34:32.399-04:00Comments on I thought they said rum: McRunner and LA Marathon recapScott @ I Thought They Said Rumhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499382011311931296noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-634747021655272465.post-6793146481781324292011-03-31T14:43:57.181-04:002011-03-31T14:43:57.181-04:00It's a tough line trying to figure out how to ...It's a tough line trying to figure out how to be inclusive (and not elitist) while also maintaining the marathon as the race the most dedicated members of the sport aspire to run. I think the race should be open to anyone, whether it's just meant as a check on the bucket list or not, and there's nothing wrong with running a marathon just to see if you can do it. For all the people who crawl across the finish line with a time slower than I could have walked 26.2 miles, there are those who have discovered the competition of running. Maybe they joined a running club or a marathon-training program and learn how to properly train for such a long race, or they start with a 5K, never wanting to run a marathon, but discover they're good at running and seek ever-challenging races, or they legimitately weren't athletes, but are seeking a life change, and discovered running as a healthy activity, that, yes, really anyone can do. <br /><br />However, I think race organizers and general marathon promoters have a responsibility to uphold the image of the marathon for what it is - a long race that requires proper training and good physical health. I think cut-off times are reasonable (of course, we can debate what a "reasonable" time would be). They're practical (city streets do need to be reopened) and it sets an expectation of a reasonable completion time. <br /><br />It's true that you can run one marathon and theoretically call yourself a marathon runner the rest of your life. But I would hope those people would phrase it instead, "I ran a marathon once," just like when you're no longer able to run marathons, you'll still call yourself a runner, but will say, "I used to run marathons."<br /><br />Maybe the prestige of having run a marathon has lessened because so many more people have run one, but a quick follow-up question helps sort the mediocre from the best - What was your time?Kirstenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10745235741652091976noreply@blogger.com