Running a marathon - a full 26.2 miles - is one of the most challenging and rewarding physical activities someone can attempt to take on. It is a difficult task that requires months of training and some steely mental determination to get all the way to the end. A number of people take the whole endeavour a step further, though, and instead of making the goal just to finish the marathon, they will tie their run to a cause. For example, many people who are repeat marathon runners will choose to raise money for a charitable organisation in which they believe and want to help. Others use such benevolent motivation as inspiration for deciding to take on their first-ever marathon, and that is what keeps them training hard and taking step after step during the actual race.

Everyone has his or her own reasons for running a marathon, and most can explain the reason why to friends. They want to push themselves to achieve their physical peak, prove to themselves that they are capable of doing something so challenging, or do some good in the world and run for a cause they consider important.

The most interesting thing about watching a marathon, though, is seeing what runners wear. Most choose simple and sensible shorts and a T-shirt, but it is not uncommon to see someone jog past wearing a chicken suit or some sort of outlandish fancy costume. Perhaps some are trying to up their chances of being singled out for television coverage, while others might just want to give their supportive friends and family lined up along the streets something a little different to look at during the race.

If you're planning on running a marathon in fancy dress or considering adding wigs to your running gear in the spirit of the 118-118 adverts, it is very important to be mindful of the temperatures! It can get really hot in a furry costume and push your body to even higher, and more dangerous, temperatures. Gisele Navarro Méndez
©2011

Show All Articles By Gisele Navarro Méndez