Global Marathons-Record Participation, Health Trends

According to the study, half of the individuals could finish a marathon in ninety days or fewer.

During the research period (November 2019 – January 2024), over 1,500 volunteers completed an incredible 2,623 marathons, with October and November exhibiting the highest concentration. Using data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, Brigham and Women’s Hospital researchers, in partnership with the American Heart Association and Apple, have identified intriguing patterns in the amount of physical activity associated with marathons. The analysis found that unprecedented numbers of people are participating in worldwide marathons.

With more than 2,50,000 participants, the survey reveals training routines and interest in 26.2-mile marathons. Based on the exercise data collected, the researchers calculated that 50% of the individuals could finish a marathon in 90 days or less, suggesting that many of the people were extremely fit.

Furthermore, 201,471 participants who had completed at least one walking or running workout were included in the study. Here, in both the walking and running categories, more than half completed at least a 5k distance. Notably, the age group that participated in marathon distances at the highest rate was 35–44.

Of the walkers, approximately 54% completed a walk of at least 5 km, while approximately 14% completed a trek of at least 10 km. Merely 1% or less of the participants completed a half-marathon or more in a single walk.

Half of the runners showed a similar pattern, with their longest run being a 5k. Approximately twenty percent ran at least 10 kilometers, and seven percent ran a half-marathon or more in a single session.

Training and recuperation routines were also disclosed by the study. Researchers looked at average weekly running lengths and saw a common tapering phenomenon: three to four weeks prior to a marathon, mileage would drop, and then there would be a steep dip after the marathon. Furthermore, in the last two weeks of training, 43% of subjects demonstrated an increase in VO2 Max over the first two weeks. It’s interesting to see that the top 10% of finishers averaged about 25 km (16 miles) more per week in training for the Marathon.

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