Sport-wise, running (marathon running)is highly well-liked. Millions of individuals run because they like it or because they want to stay fit. Just comfortable clothing and well-cushioned shoes are all that a runner needs to succeed.
Running regularly helps one’s physical condition. Your heart and leg muscles get stronger, and it promotes the flow of oxygen throughout your body. Running helps you maintain a healthy weight since it burns a lot of calories. Additionally, it aids in reducing tension after a long day at work or school.
Long-distance events attract many runners. Marathons are the most well-liked competitions. They take place in several places throughout the globe, and for a good runner, competing in a well-known marathon is the pinnacle of their running career. Numerous cities, including New York, Boston, London, and Berlin, host renowned marathons.
The marathon is the world’s oldest sporting competition. Its name derives from the legend of a Greek soldier who raced 40 kilometers (25 miles) from the little hamlet of Marathon to Athens in 490 B.C. The Greek army had conquered the Persians, he wanted to inform the locals.
The current standard marathon is 42.195 kilometers long. One of the great attractions of the contemporary Olympic Games, which debuted in 1896, has always been the marathon.
African athletes have dominated marathons worldwide over the last few decades. Abebe Bikila, an Ethiopian, won his first Olympic gold medal while running barefoot in 1960. Four years later, he achieved victory once more. Due to their superior training facilities back home, experts believe that African runners are better. They may also be able to gather and retain more oxygen, and their legs may be stronger than ours. Children often have to run or walk great distances to get to school because it is distant from their homes.
Due to the varied nature of marathon courses worldwide, there are no recognized world records. When a path is flat, runners may go more quickly. A route may be steep and have many ups and downs somewhere else. For runners, setting fast times is more challenging when there is a lot of wind and rain.
Berlin, Germany, had the fastest marathon in 2003. Kenyan Paul Tergat completed the race in 2 hours, 4 minutes, and 55 seconds. Paula Radcliffe ran the 2003 London Marathon with the fastest time ever for a woman—2 hours, 15 minutes, and 25 seconds.
Training
If a runner wants to take part in a marathon race, they must train hard and be well-prepared. The marathon is often the longest event that recreational runners have participated in. For months, they train by running up to 100 kilometers every week.
It’s crucial to give your body ample time to relax and recuperate while preparing for a marathon. Take a few days off from running if you feel worn out or your muscles suffer. Many runners cut back on their weekly training during the final two to three weeks before a marathon.
Food
If you want to run a marathon, eating the appropriate foods is crucial. A lot of the carbs consumed by runners are converted to glycogen. The body stores glycogen, which is converted into energy throughout the race.
In the weeks leading up to a race, athletes consume large amounts of bread, rice, cereal, and pasta. They make an effort to consume fruits and veggies instead of fat.
During the Race
Drinking plenty of fluids is crucial throughout a marathon to prevent your body from becoming dehydrated.
Running at a steady speed is advised. Start slowly; otherwise, you’ll get exhausted too quickly and be unable to continue. We refer to this as “hitting the wall.” Most often, this is when runners completely quit. However, you shouldn’t begin too slowly or you won’t finish within the desired time frame.
Most marathon runners have muscular soreness following the race. This is typical, and it can take a few days for your body to return to normal.
A marathon in New York City
One of the biggest and most well-known events in the world is the New York marathon. Since 1970, it has happened every single year. Each year, about 80,000 runners apply to run the marathon, but only 30,000 are accepted. They are picked at random.
Starting on Staten Island and concluding in Central Park, the course travels through each of New York’s five boroughs. During the race, more than 2 million spectators support the runners. Over the 42-kilometer circuit, 40 musical bands keep them amused.
Prize money totaling 600,000 dollars is awarded to the top runners. The race winner will get $100,000 in addition to a brand-new automobile.
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