Last weekend Prague welcomed athletes from around the world to the 29th annual Prague International Marathon.
Have you ever thought about running a half or even a full marathon? I bet if you ask some of your fellow students you’ll find someone who has. Many of us like to run from our problems, some have taken the more literal approach. (The author included) Perhaps, running is the new quarter life crisis?
But it’s not just some 20-somethings running those dreaded 42.195km in the search for meaning and purpose. People of all ages and nationalities flock to the cities and racetracks of the world to measure themselves against this mythical distance.
And still, looking at all these runners on the streets of Prague, it is most reasonable to ask: Why? Do they enjoy the pain, so clearly written in their faces? Maybe they like the reward of a medal around their neck? (For which they paid a hefty entrance fee) Do they chase fitness, happiness, or competition? Or are they just in it for a comprehensive sightseeing tour?
Whatever their reasoning may be; over 10,000 people decided to hit the streets for the ultimate Sunday long run.
The marathon is based on an almost forgotten antique legend about a Greek messenger running from Marathon to Athens, proclaiming the Athenians win in battle against the Persians, and promptly dying. Then the organizers of the first modern Olympics decided to make a race out of it in 1896. But did you know, for women it only became an official event at the 1984 Olympics. This was preceded by a long struggle, and some brave efforts by rogue female runners running races they were not allowed to enter, to convince the world that women could even make the distance.
Because this is about long-distance running, not long-distance writing, I will leave you with some photo expressions from last Sunday. And who knows, maybe you will be running in the next Prague Marathon? You have about a year to learn all about Strava, stretches, and gels…
Written by Ben Unger
Leave a Reply