The 2024 New York City Marathon took place on Sunday, Nov. 3. This is the world’s largest marathon, with more than 55,000 finishers. Many well-known celebrities ran the marathon, including Claire Holt (The Vampire Diaries), Vinny Guadagnino (Jersey Shore) and Matt James (The Bachelor). Marathon culture seems to be ramping up around the country as thousands of people attempt to complete the challenge, including famous celebrities. Surrounding these larger marathons are half-marathons, 5ks, and other races that call runners at all levels to come out and get active. However, I feel that marathon runners are huge inspirations to all people considering stepping into the running community, as they show that if you work hard and show up, you can do anything you set your mind to. In my opinion, marathon culture is a community filled with positivity and motivation.
While very few people actually qualify to become marathon runners, most of those participants start in 5ks and half marathons, or even their high school track meets. Running can be a very daunting physical activity because no matter how you slice it, it is always a competition. If I am on a jog with a friend, and she is a few feet ahead, she is winning the race. Are we racing? Is this a contest? No. But our natural instinct as human beings is to compete and not just compete, but to win. We don’t like to participate in things we feel we aren’t good at because it makes us feel defeated and we all want to win. However, when we see these fellow runners and even celebrities documenting their running journeys, it shows that we can all start somewhere, and even if a person never reaches marathon level, it is still an incredible accomplishment to complete a race.
The lines of people cheering for runners, handing out snacks and words of motivation reminds us that no one cares how fast you are running or what race you are in. People are just impressed because you had the nerve to do something challenging and complete it. Thus, strangers will cheer for people they don’t even know, because this community is one filled with kindness.
While no marathon distance, through NOVAfit, Villanova hosted a 5k on Sunday, Nov. 10.. This 5k was open to students, faculty, staff and the local community in order to raise money for the Sunshine Fund in memory of Rev. John P. Stack, OSA. All races do not have to just be for glory. This race was to help raise money for a great cause, and many times people who don’t always participate in races will turn out for this good cause. Marathons do not have to be the only type of running people do, because it is a rare thing to complete a marathon, but this season and the way it is perpetuated on social media reminds us of the culture altogether. Many people run just to raise money for a cause or for their friend fighting a disease, and it reminds us that we all can join this environment if we want to.
Villanova junior Abby Stinson discussed her experience running a recent half marathon in Philadelphia and whether it was worth the challenge.
“Absolutely,” Stinson said. “As someone who really does not like running, I was super open about talking about my training experience leading up to the race with friends and family. I also think that after running the race, it has inspired my other friends to start running and join me on my next half marathon which I think is really exciting.”
She added on by discussing what made it such a challenge.
“Running a half marathon was one of the most challenging events I have ever done,” Stinson said. “I found it honestly to be more of a mental challenge than a physical challenge. I have never been a runner and did prepare for the race as much as I could have, yet it was more overcoming the duration, keeping a steady pace, and motivating myself through that was the biggest challenge.”
Stinson is just one of thousands who completed that race, and after speaking to her, I am left feeling empowered to put on my running shoes and embrace the challenge. I am not a runner, I never have been. However, seeing the sense of camaraderie that can come from running is super inspiring.
“I ran with my roommate, and not only did it empower us individually, but I truly think it bonded us for life,” Stinson said. “It was both our first half marathon, so we felt so accomplished and proud of each other when we hit the finish line. It’s an emotional experience, and I was glad to share that with someone else.”
Everything here at Villanova is so much better when you have the friends you have made here standing beside you. I think that as someone who doesn’t come from a running background, I could enjoy the process much more with my fellow Villanovans surrounding me, including my roommate; that is, if I can convince her. Accomplishing challenges is much more worthwhile when you have people to high five at the top and I think this is a testament not just to marathon runners or runners in general but the friendship that stems from the running atmosphere and community. Marathons are a positive motivator, even if someone doesn’t reach that high of a challenge, and I am proud of my fellow Villanovans for adding to a community I am growing to appreciate and respect.
