Editing Marathon (section)

==General participation==
[[File:Stockholmmarathon 2009-start3.jpg|thumb|left|Start of the 2009 [[Stockholm Marathon]]]]
Most participants do not run a marathon to win. More important for most runners is their personal finishing time and their placement within their specific gender and age group, though some runners just want to finish. Strategies for completing a marathon include running the whole distance<ref name=higdon/> and a run–walk strategy.<ref name=galloway /> In 2005, the average marathon time in the U.S. was 4 hours 32 minutes 8 seconds for men, 5 hours 6 minutes 8 seconds for women.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/2005RecapOverview.cfm|title=2005 Total USA Marathon Finishers|publisher=Marathonguide.com|access-date=24 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317061003/http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/2005RecapOverview.cfm|archive-date=17 March 2008|url-status=live}}
</ref> In 2015, the men's and women's median marathon times were 4 hours 20 minutes 13 seconds and 4 hours 45 minutes 30 seconds respectively.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2016|title=2015 Running USA Annual Marathon Report|publisher=Running USA|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505061210/http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2016|archive-date=5 May 2017|url-status=live}}
</ref>

A goal many runners aim for is to break certain time barriers. For example, recreational first-timers often try to run the marathon under four hours; more competitive runners may attempt to finish under three hours.<ref name=Magee>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutrunning.net/sri-chinmoy-racesblog/running-sub-3-hour-marathon |title=Running a sub 3-hour marathon |publisher=allaboutrunning.net |access-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215181724/http://www.allaboutrunning.net/sri-chinmoy-racesblog/running-sub-3-hour-marathon |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> Other benchmarks are the qualifying times for major marathons. The [[Boston Marathon]], the oldest marathon in the United States, requires a qualifying time for all non-professional runners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Qualifying.asp |title=Boston Athletic Association |publisher=Bostonmarathon.org |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608141549/http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Qualifying.asp |archive-date=8 June 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[New York City Marathon]] also requires a qualifying time for guaranteed entry, at a significantly faster pace than Boston's.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/run-in-2017|title=Run in 2017|date=7 September 2016|website=TCS New York City Marathon|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503130030/https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/run-in-2017|archive-date=3 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Typically, there is a maximum allowed time of about six hours after which the marathon route is closed, although some larger marathons keep the course open considerably longer (eight hours or more). Many marathons around the world have such time limits by which all runners must have crossed the finish line. Anyone slower than the limit will be picked up by a sweeper bus. In many cases the marathon organizers are required to reopen the roads to the public so that traffic can return to normal.

With the growth in popularity of marathon-running, many marathons across the United States and the world have been filling to capacity faster than ever before. When the Boston Marathon opened up registration for its 2011 running, the field capacity was filled within eight hours.<ref>[https://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/articles/2010/10/19/marathon_fills_its_field_in_a_record_8_hours/?page=2 Online, sprinters win race: Marathon fills its field in a record 8 hours] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022030447/http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/articles/2010/10/19/marathon_fills_its_field_in_a_record_8_hours/?page=2 |date=22 October 2010 }}. Boston.com (19 October 2010). Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref>

===Training===
[[File:Moonwalk 2009.jpg|thumb|left|[[MoonWalk (charity event)|MoonWalk]] is a nocturnal charity marathon to raise money for breast cancer research.]]
The long run is an important element in marathon training.<ref>McMillan, Greg [https://web.archive.org/web/20070219054928/http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/rununiv/marathonlongrun.htm The Marathon Long Run]. mcmillanrunning.com</ref> Recreational runners commonly try to reach a maximum of about {{convert|32|km|abbr=on}} in their longest weekly run and a total of about {{convert|64|km|abbr=on}} a week when training for the marathon, but wide variability exists in practice and in recommendations. More experienced marathoners may run a longer distance during the week. Greater weekly training mileages can offer greater results in terms of distance and endurance, but also carry a greater risk of training injury.<ref name="daniels" /> Most male elite marathon runners will complete weekly distances of over {{convert|160|km|abbr=on|-1}}.<ref name=daniels>{{Cite book| author=Daniels, J. | title=Daniels' Running Formula, 2nd Ed. |publisher=Human Kinetics Publishing | year=2005 | isbn=0-7360-5492-8}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref> It is recommended that those new to running should get a checkup from their doctor, as there are certain warning signs and risk factors that should be evaluated before undertaking any new workout program, especially marathon training.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/marathon-training-tips |title=Marathon Training Tips |publisher=Rush University Medical Center |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702002552/https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/marathon-training-tips |archive-date=2 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Many training programs last a minimum of five or six months, with a gradual increase in the distance run and finally, for recovery, a period of [[tapering (sports)|tapering]] in the one to three weeks preceding the race. For beginners wishing to merely finish a marathon, a minimum of four months of running four days a week is recommended.<ref>Whitsett ''et al.'' (1998) The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. Master's Press.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150403112959/http://www.calendarofmarathons.com/finishing-a-marathon/ Finishing A Marathon]}}. Calendarofmarathons.com. Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> Many trainers recommend a weekly increase in mileage of no more than 10%. It is also often advised to maintain a consistent running program for six weeks or so before beginning a marathon training program, to allow the body to adapt to the new stresses.<ref>{{Cite book| author=Burfoot, A. Ed
|title=Runner's World Complete Book of Running : Everything You Need to Know to Run for Fun, Fitness and Competition | url=https://archive.org/details/completebookofru00burf | url-access=registration |publisher=Rodale Books | year=1999 | isbn=1-57954-186-0}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref> The marathon training program itself would suppose variation between hard and easy training, with a periodization of the general plan.<ref>
{{cite web
  | title = Training for a Marathon
  | author = Marius Bakken
  | url = http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/training-for-a-marathon.html
  | work= Marathon Training Schedule
  | access-date = 17 April 2009
  | author-link = Marius Bakken
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209131411/http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/training-for-a-marathon.html
  | archive-date = 9 February 2009
  | url-status = live  }}
</ref>

Training programs can be found at the websites of [[Runner's World]],<ref name=runnersworld>{{cite web |url=http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7123,s6-238-244-255-0,00.html |title=Marathon Training at Runner's World |publisher=Runnersworld.com |date=15 February 2008 |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813042740/http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7123,s6-238-244-255-0,00.html |archive-date=13 August 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Hal Higdon]],<ref name=higdon>{{cite web |url=http://www.halhigdon.com/ |title=Training programs |publisher=Hal Higdon |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027023511/http://www.halhigdon.com/ |archive-date=27 October 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jeff Galloway]],<ref name=galloway/> and the [[Boston Athletic Association]],<ref name=boston>{{cite web|url=http://www.baa.org/programs/training-programs/marathon-training.aspx |title=Boston Athletic Association |publisher=Bostonmarathon.org |access-date=1 November 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307074320/http://www.baa.org/programs/training-programs/marathon-training.aspx |archive-date= 7 March 2012 }}</ref> and in numerous other published sources, including the websites of specific marathons.

The last long training run might be undertaken up to two weeks prior to the event. Many marathon runners also [[carbohydrate loading|"carbo-load"]] (increase carbohydrate intake while holding total caloric intake constant) during the week before the marathon to allow their bodies to store more [[glycogen]].

===Glycogen and "the wall"===
{{Main|Hitting the wall}}
[[Carbohydrate]]s that a person eats are converted by the [[liver]] and [[muscle]]s into [[glycogen]] for storage. Glycogen burns rapidly to provide quick energy. Runners can store about 8 [[joule|MJ]] or 2,000 [[calorie|kcal]] worth of glycogen in their bodies, enough for about 30&nbsp;km/18–20 miles of running. Many runners report that running becomes noticeably more difficult at that point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.half-marathon-running.com/HittingTheWall |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111711/http://www.half-marathon-running.com/HittingTheWall |url-status=dead |archive-date=22 March 2017 |title=Hitting the wall for marathon runners |publisher=Half-marathon-running.com |access-date=22 August 2009 }}</ref> When glycogen runs low, the body must then obtain energy by burning stored fat, which does not burn as readily. When this happens, the runner will experience dramatic [[fatigue]] and is said to "[[hitting the wall|hit the wall]]". The aim of training for the marathon, according to many coaches,<ref name=glyco>{{cite web |url=http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/Lesser-Known-Dangers-Associated-With-Marathons/ |title=Lesser-known Dangers Associated with Running a Marathon |last=Klein |first=Michael |date=3 October 2008 |work=E-articles.info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117044405/http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/Lesser-Known-Dangers-Associated-With-Marathons/ |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> is to maximize the limited glycogen available so that the fatigue of the "wall" is not as dramatic. This is accomplished in part by utilizing a higher percentage of energy from burned fat even during the early phase of the race, thus conserving glycogen.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

Carbohydrate-based "[[energy gel]]s" are used by runners to avoid or reduce the effect of "hitting the wall", as they provide easy to digest energy during the run. Energy gels usually contain varying amounts of sodium and potassium and some also contain caffeine. They need to be consumed with a certain amount of water. Recommendations for how often to take an energy gel during the race range widely.<ref name=glyco />

[[File:Boston marathon mile 25 helper 050418.jpg|thumb|A runner getting encouragement at Mile 25 of the Boston Marathon]]
Alternatives to gels include various forms of concentrated sugars, and foods high in simple carbohydrates that can be digested easily. Many runners experiment with consuming energy supplements during training runs to determine what works best for them. Consumption of food while running sometimes makes the runner sick. Runners are advised not to ingest a new food or medicine just prior to or during a race.<ref name=glyco /> It is also important to refrain from taking any of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory class of pain relievers ([[NSAIDs]], e.g., [[aspirin]], [[ibuprofen]], [[naproxen]]), as these drugs may change the way the kidneys regulate their blood flow and may lead to serious kidney problems, especially in cases involving moderate to severe dehydration. NSAIDS block the [[COX-2]] enzyme pathway to prevent the production of prostaglandins. These prostaglandins may act as inflammation factors throughout the body, but they also play a crucial role in maintenance of water retention. In less than 5% of the whole population that take NSAIDS, individuals may be more negatively sensitive to renal prostaglandin synthesis inhibition.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Brater|first=D. Craig|title=Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on renal function: focus on cyclooxygenase −2–selective inhibition|journal=The American Journal of Medicine|date=17 January 2000|volume=107|issue=6|pages=65–70|doi=10.1016/S0002-9343(99)00369-1|pmid=10628595}}</ref>

===Temperature===

A study of the performance of 1.8 million participants in the Berlin, London, Paris, Boston, Chicago, and New York marathons during the years from 2001 to 2010 found that runners recorded their fastest times when the temperature was around {{convert|6|C}}, with an increase of 10&nbsp;°C (18&nbsp;°F) leading to a 1.5% reduction in speed.<ref name=PlosOne_1>{{cite journal |last1=Helou |first1=Nour |last2=Tafflet |first2=Muriel | last3=Berthelot | first3=Geoffroy | date=2012-05-23 | title=Impact of Environmental Parameters on Marathon Running Performance | journal=[[PLOS One]] |volume=7 |issue=5 |pages=e37407 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0037407 |pmid=22649525 |pmc=3359364 |bibcode=2012PLoSO...737407E | quote=[Data in] Supplementary Table 3–Optimal temperatures for maximal running speeds of each level of performance, with speed losses associated with each temperature increase. |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=E_1 >{{ cite news | url=https://www.economist.com/game-theory/2017/10/04/can-the-marathons-two-hour-barrier-be-broken | title=Can the marathon's two-hour barrier be broken? | last=S | first=J | newspaper=[[The Economist]]| date=2017-10-04 | access-date=2020-07-02 | quote=While it is unclear how much—or even if—rain or humidity alone affect marathon times, a little heat can make a big difference. One study published in 2012 found that the optimum temperature was a chilly 4&nbsp;°C (39&nbsp;°F) for the top percentile of entrants, and that a rise of 10&nbsp;°C was associated with a 1.4% drop in speed, with bigger declines for lesser athletes. Another paper produced in 2007 offered no optimum point, but found that an increase in WetBulb Globe Temperature—an overall measure of heat stress—from 8&nbsp;°C to 17&nbsp;°C was linked to a 1.6% fall in performance for elite competitors. }}</ref> A July 2020 study found that increasing temperatures affected faster runners' performance more than slower ones.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gasparetto|first1=Thadeu|last2=Nesseler|first2=Cornel |date=July 2020|title=Diverse Effects of Thermal Conditions on Performance of Marathon Runners|journal=Frontiers in Psychology|language=en|volume= 11|page=1438|doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01438 |pmid=32719639|pmc=7350124| quote=We analyzed endurance performances of the top 1000 runners for every year during the last 12 New York City Marathons. Thermal conditions were estimated with wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and universal thermal climate index (UTCI). Under identical thermal exposure, the fastest runners experienced a larger decline in performance than the slower ones. |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===After a marathon===
Marathon participation may result in various medical, [[human musculoskeletal system|musculoskeletal]], and [[dermatology|dermatological]] complaints.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Jaworski CA |title=Medical concerns of marathons |journal=Current Sports Medicine Reports |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=137–43 |date=June 2005 |pmid=15907265 |doi=10.1097/01.csmr.0000306196.51994.5f|s2cid=220577417 |doi-access=free }}</ref> [[Delayed onset muscle soreness]] (DOMS) is a common condition affecting runners during the first week following a marathon.<ref name="pfitzinger.com">[http://www.pfitzinger.com/labreports/marathonrecovery1.shtml Pete Pfitzinger&nbsp;– Lab Reports&nbsp;– Recovering From a Marathon, Part One] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510064350/http://www.pfitzinger.com/labreports/marathonrecovery1.shtml |date=10 May 2013 }}. Pfitzinger.com. Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref> Various types of mild exercise or [[massage]] have been recommended to alleviate pain secondary to DOMS.<ref name="pfitzinger.com"/> Dermatological issues frequently include "[[fissure of the nipple|jogger's nipple]]", "[[subungual hematoma|jogger's toe]]", and [[blister]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Mailler EA, Adams BB |title=The wear and tear of 26.2: dermatological injuries reported on marathon day |journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=498–501 |date=August 2004 |pmid=15273194 |pmc=1724877 |doi=10.1136/bjsm.2004.011874}}</ref>

The [[immune system]] is reportedly suppressed for a short time.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mackinnon|first=Laurel T.|date=July 2000|title=Chronic exercise training effects on immune function|url=https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005768-200007001-00001|journal=Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise|language=en|volume=32|issue=Supplement|pages=S369–S376|doi=10.1097/00005768-200007001-00001|pmid=10910293|issn=0195-9131|doi-access=free}}</ref> Changes to the blood chemistry, such as elevated Cardiac Troponin T,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Aengevaeren |first1=Vincent L. |last2=Baggish |first2=Aaron L. |last3=Chung |first3=Eugene H. |last4=George |first4=Keith |last5=Kleiven |first5=Øyunn |last6=Mingels |first6=Alma M.A. |last7=Ørn |first7=Stein |last8=Shave |first8=Rob E. |last9=Thompson |first9=Paul D. |last10=Eijsvogels |first10=Thijs M.H. |date=2021-12-14 |title=Exercise-Induced Cardiac Troponin Elevations: From Underlying Mechanisms to Clinical Relevance |journal=Circulation |language=en |volume=144 |issue=24 |pages=1955–1972 |doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.056208 |issn=0009-7322 |pmc=8663527 |pmid=34898243}}</ref> may lead physicians to mistakenly diagnose heart malfunction.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Acevedo|first1=Edmund O.|last2=Dzewaltowski|first2=David A.|last3=Kubitz|first3=Karla A.|last4=Kraemer|first4=Robert R.|date=October 1999|title=Effects of a proposed challenge on effort sense and cardiorespiratory responses during exercise|url=https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005768-199910000-00016|journal=Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise|language=en|volume=31|issue=10|pages=1460–5|doi=10.1097/00005768-199910000-00016|pmid=10527320|issn=0195-9131|doi-access=free}}</ref>

After long training runs and the marathon itself, consuming [[carbohydrate]]s to replace glycogen stores and [[protein]] to aid muscle recovery is commonly recommended. In addition, soaking the lower half of the body for approximately 20 minutes in cold or ice water may force blood through the leg muscles to speed recovery.<ref>{{Cite book|title= Marathon Training for Dummies |last=Stouffer Drenth |first= Tere |year=2003 |publisher=Wiley Publishing Inc. |location=United States |page=182 |isbn=0-7645-2510-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OKuOPY33WU4C&q=%22If+your+area+of+discomfort+is+large,+say,+your+entire+leg,+your+best+bet+is+to+take+an+ice+bath.%22| title = "Marathon Training For Dummies - Tere Stouffer Drenth - Google Books"| isbn = 9780764525100| last1 = Drenth| first1 = Tere Stouffer| date = 7 March 2003| publisher = Wiley}}</ref>