Foo - Is Steve a marathoner?

I am in a disagreement with my friend Bill as to whether our mutual friend Steve should be classified as a marathoner.

Background information: Steve is an asthmatic who decided for health reasons to take up running. He trained from no base at all with a goal of finishing a marathon. He followed one of Hal Higdon’s training programs and he never missed a workout. The week of the marathon he had a family emergency and could not attend the race. After looking for other marathons in the next few weeks, he could not find anyone that was close to home. Instead of scrapping all of his training he measured out a course with his car adn then ran the 26.2 miles himself (using his Garmin GPS unit to double check the distance).

Here is where the disagreement begins. Bill (who I might add couldn’t run a mile if he had to) feels that because Steve didn’t receive a finisher’s medal he should not be considered a marathoner. I feel that Steve completed all of his training, gained a better control of his asthma (which was the main goal), and completed the marathon distance that he should be considered a marathon runner. Also, Steve ended up having the same struggles in finishing the marathon that all runners do (I finished the last few miles with him and it wasn’t pretty).

So my question is, do you feel that Steve is a marathoner?

I wouldn't call myself a 'marathoner' if I had only completed one. I think it's more impressive, though, to do it solo without any people handing you gatorade.

If you have completed a 26.2 mile run, whether sanctioned or not, you've run a marathon. Who cares about the medal?

I think it's continued events that makes puts a person into a specific type of athlete. I've done a triathlon, but I wouldn't consider myself a triathlete. If I had done 3 or 4 with continued training, then I probably would call myself a triathlete. As comendable as your friend's achievement is, I wouldn't call him a marathoner.

he ran the distance so he's earned the title.

I think it's continued events that makes puts a person into a specific type of athlete. I've done a triathlon, but I wouldn't consider myself a triathlete. If I had done 3 or 4 with continued training, then I probably would call myself a triathlete. As comendable as your friend's achievement is, I wouldn't call him a marathoner.


I guess I should have asked the question this way...do you feel that he has accomplished his goal of running a marathon and should be seen as doing so even though he didn't run a sanctioned race?

I guess I should have asked the question this way...do you feel that he has accomplished his goal of running a marathon and should be seen as doing so even though he didn't run a sanctioned race?

Absolutely yes.

Another yes here.

I'm really not trying to troll here, but does it really matter if you or Bill think he accomplished his goal or not? The only one that can answer whether or not Steve's goal has been accomplished is Steve. If he feels that he has, then he has.

If I ride 100 miles but it's not a sanctioned race or organized charity/club event, it's still a century. Why wouldn't the same hold true for a 26.2 mile run being called a marathon? I think it's even harder doing a solo, unsupported marathon.

I have never surfed in a sanctioned competition, am I a surfer? I have never skied in a sanctioned race, am I a skier? Of course he is a marathoner, he ran the distance. He can certainly say "I have run a marathon" without any reservation.

So, when Persia was dust, all cried, "To Acropolis!

Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!

Athens is saved, thank Pan, go shout!" He flung down his shield

Ran like fire once more: and the space 'twixt the fennel-field

And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,

Till in he broke: "Rejoice, we conquer!" Like wine through clay,

Joy in his blood bursting his heart, - the bliss!

I have never surfed in a sanctioned competition, am I a surfer? I have never skied in a sanctioned race, am I a skier? Of course he is a marathoner, he ran the distance. He can certainly say "I have run a marathon" without any reservation.

Back to the is he a marathoner... Cycling, surfing, and skiing are things that can be done without competition. The true definition of a marathon is a race. That means to have done a marathon and to call yourself a marathoner is to have competed in a marathon race. It's more accurately compared to a triathlon. You may run, bike, and swim, but you are not a triathlete until you start competing in races.

Steve is certainly a runner, but a marathoner he is not...