In the age of social media, trends are constantly coming and going. One minute ice buckets are the way to go, and the next day they’re not. But the marathon isn’t like other trends. At 42.195km it’s not only the longest road race but is also experiencing what might be the longest lasting surge in popularity. Like the marathon itself, the trend just keeps going. So should you get in on the marathon running trend? Ultimately, that choice is up to you. But here are some facts that might make that decision easier.
Why is running marathons so popular?
First off, the obvious question. Why is running marathons so popular? There isn’t one single answer, but rather several theories that explain it. I’ve listed the main reasons here, and will take you through each one.
- Challenge
- Accessibility
- Social Media
- Health
- Community aspect
Challenge
A big reason why an increasing number of people are running marathons is because of the challenge it represents. As the longest road running distance, the marathon is viewed by many as the ultimate physical test and can serve as a common goal for the general public. Nowadays more than ever, people don’t just love, but are actively seeking out, a challenge. This could be for reasons related to mental health, a desire to escape the restraints of daily life, to disconnect from the digital world or simply to test your body’s limits.
Either way, completing a marathon is a concrete goal to aim for. In a time where people are increasingly finding themselves lacking purpose, it’s something to latch on to. Not to mention the level of satisfaction it provides to complete a race perceived as incredibly demanding and not for the faint-hearted. When you think challenge, you think marathon.
Accessibility
Which brings me onto my next point about why marathons are so popular amongst the general public. Accessibility. There are plenty of other challenges out there. Skydiving, for example. But very few are as easy to grasp, and as easy to afford, as running. Actual running aside, the goal of completing a marathon is simple to achieve. The only equipment you need are running clothes and shoes. Which, despite what the internet might tell you, don’t have to be that expensive. Running is also a sport that can be done anywhere. In order to train for a marathon, all you have to do is leave your house. That part, at least, can be done for free.
Social Media
We kicked off this discussion by talking about trends, and while marathon running may be more lasting than most, it’s not completely unique. Like all trends, the popularity of marathons was, and is still, being boosted by social media. Which is likely what increased participation amongst the general public. The influence of social media on marathon running is twofold. On the one hand, there are content creators who tend to create a more glamourised, aspirational view of marathon running, from the outfits they wear to the landscapes they train in.
Then on the other hand there are those whose content is more relatable than aspirational. The type that lost their job, ran a marathon and all was healed. Either way, when all this running content is being funnelled your way, it’s hard to resist the urge. No one can change the fact that running a marathon is physically hard. But influencers are there to either make it look easy or make it look worth it.
Community Aspect
An increasing number of people however are turning to marathons as a way to counteract the effects of social media. It’s becoming harder than ever to feel connected to other people when so much interaction is done online. But when it comes to marathons real life is the only option. Running encourages people to be present and explore the outdoors, either against, or alongside, other people. The rise of run clubs has also played a part in this. So much so that the sport is now almost synonymous with an easy, low cost way to meet new people and a big part of why so many people get involved. But even if the aim isn’t to make friends, marathons are still very much a community-orientated sport. The general participants are made up of people all working towards the same goal. That experience is both unifying, and rare.
Fitness
The overarching reason why marathons are becoming so popular is to do with a rising interest in fitness among the general population, with marathon finishers held up as the ultimate picture of health. Whether or not people are running marathons for each of the other reasons I’ve mentioned, chances are a desire for better fitness does feature, more often than not as the common denominator that ties them together. Being not just physically active, but also physically fit, is becoming an increasingly big priority. Because running is not only the simplest route but also the most highly portrayed on social media, the finish line of a marathon has taken the shape of a fitness barometer. Only when you cross it will you have reached optimal health.
Can anyone run a marathon?
In theory, yes, anyone can run a marathon. In practice however, there are many factors that affect not only people’s ability to run a marathon but also whether or not they should run at all. The most important factor of them all is training. Without the right preparation, it is not recommended to run a marathon. Your body will not be primed to meet the demands that running 42.195km place on its structure, and the risk of injury is high. A lack of training will also likely mean that the body’s aerobic fitness is not high enough to sustain a running pace for the full marathon. So even if it is completed, some amount of walking will have been involved.
The mental aspect of running a marathon shouldn’t be cast aside either. Regardless of the level of physical fitness, marathons are also challenging psychologically, which is something that requires intense preparation. Therefore, while broadly speaking anyone can run a marathon, the actual act of doing it in most cases cannot be undertaken without prior training.
Is running marathons good for you?
The question of whether running marathons is healthy or not is highly debated. Mostly because its answer lies more with the individual than the act of running a marathon itself. Running of any kind comes with several physical benefits, such as increased cardiovascular fitness and muscular strength, but in order to experience them to the full extent awareness of running’s other impacts is necessary.
Marathons especially, due to the sheer distance, place a lot of stress on the body’s joints. If not managed correctly through adequate recovery between training sessions and muscle/joint strengthening through exercises other than running, this can cause injuries like stress fractures. Some people, simply due to their body’s anatomy, are also naturally more injury-prone than others. But aside from the specifics, running a marathon still follows the same principles as any other physical activity. Overexertion and insufficient rest can quickly turn a positive impact into a negative one.
What this means is that whether running marathons is good for you or not largely depends on the individual’s level of preparation and awareness of injury risks. The health benefits will always be there, but the negative impacts for the most part can be avoided.
How to prepare for your first marathon?
The best way to approach your first marathon is to do so without time restraints. In order to reap the most benefits from the experience you have to be fully prepared. Depending on how experienced a runner you were beforehand, training for a marathon can be a lengthy process. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. But for a complete beginner your first marathon should be booked at least 6 months in advance. Ideally up to a full year before, to lower the risk of overexertion and increase the chances of a satisfactory performance.
The next step would be to find yourself a training plan in accordance with not just your marathon time goal (if you have one) but also your specific level of fitness and experience. There are plenty of programmes online for all skill levels, with most lasting around 16 weeks.
This time can also be used to figure out what kit you want to wear on race day, specifically running trainers. The shoes are there to help you, and have to be run in for up to 6 hours on race day, which means comfort, alongside performance, should be a priority. Guides to help you choose your marathon shoe can be found on our website, and on the Meta Endurance Instagram page. But most importantly, race day cannot be the first time you wear your running shoes. To avoid potential discomfort while preserving performance enhancement, it’s recommended that you wear them for at least one run beforehand. This ensures you get used to their feel and can make any adjustments accordingly.
The three Ts
Above all though, when preparing for your first marathon you need to listen to your body throughout. The benefit of giving yourself time is that should something happen there’s room for recovery, and your training can be adjusted accordingly without affecting your overall outcome. To summarise, these are the key points to bear in mind when preparing for your first marathon:
- Time
- Training plan
- The right running shoes
What are the best marathons for beginners?
There are a lot of marathons out there. Which is why if you’re looking to book your first race, there are certain criteria that are useful to bear in mind. The best marathons for beginners share these characteristics:
- A relatively flat course
- This will make the actual running easier, and also increase your chances of making a good debut time if that is something you’re aiming for
- Large crowds/high percentage of general participants
- Large crowds boost the atmosphere of a marathon, and a high number of general participants will mean you feel more comfortable running alongside others with a similar level of experience
- Generous time allowance
- For your first marathon, especially for novice runners, the added pressure of having to finish by a certain time can be unwelcome, which is why it helps to look for races with time limits upwards of 6 hours
Here are some examples of good marathons for beginners:
1. London Marathon
If you manage to successfully defy the odds and book a spot at the London Marathon, as a first race it couldn’t be more ideal. The course is mostly flat and given its 2026 edition gave us 2 world records, it’s safe to say that on the whole it’s not a difficult route to tackle. But the best thing on offer are the crowds. The atmosphere at the London Marathon is unmatched. It’s one of the main reasons why members of the public run it, and why it breaks participant records almost year on year. London couldn’t be more welcoming for first-timers either, with a cut off limit of 8 hours that should allow plenty of time to complete the race.
2. Paris Marathon
Like London, the Paris Marathon is no stranger to big crowds, but unlike London, it’s significantly easier to get into. At the 2026 edition, 49% of runners ran their first marathon, which serves as proof of its welcoming environment and almost guarantees you’ll be surrounded by like-minded people when the time comes to race. While not quite as flat as London, Paris is still mostly lacking in hills. And although the official cut off is 6 hours, slower runners are allowed to remain on the course until they complete the race.
3. Amsterdam Marathon
For a first time marathon runner, it’s normal to worry about pace-setting. Which is why the Amsterdam Marathon is ideal in that regard. The course is so flat that as long as your legs can sustain it, you should be able to maintain an even rhythm throughout. It’s not lacking in crowd support either, with its finish in the Olympic stadium ensuring there are plenty of spectators cheering as you cross the line.
As well as meeting the initial requirements I mentioned, most importantly these marathons are more than just a race. They’re an experience. Each course takes you through a different city, with plenty of sights to soak in and hopefully motivate you along with the crowds to keep going through to the end.
Is it your turn to run a marathon?
So you know the facts. Marathons are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of reasons. In theory, anyone can run one. And if you’re careful in practice, running a marathon should offer more benefits than health risks. It’s true that it all takes to prepare is time, a training plan and some kit, but that can’t be done without a decision from you. Like they say, you have to be in it to win it. Don’t sign up just because everyone else is. The marathon has a good sense for those whose heart isn’t really in it, and that’s not something you want to experience.
Written by- Rosana Ercilla
