- In the past, young runners mostly focused on short distances on the track, while marathons were reserved for experienced adults.
- Today, more and more 20-year-olds are choosing the marathon, attracted by the challenge, the discipline of training and the sense of community.
- Running has become a social phenomenon: fewer wild nights out, more miles run together, with clear goals and lots of motivation.
If we look back a few decades, long-distance running was something for adults, or as young people would say, “old folks”. Young runners challenged themselves on the track by running the 100 meters to feel like Usain Bolt. A marathon? That was for the grown-ups, for those with experience and years of training behind them, not for twenty-year-olds just getting started.
Today, it seems like everyone you talk to is training for a marathon: just open Instagram to see friends posting screenshots of 12-plus mile runs, photos with shiny new running shoes or videos where they talk about “long runs” and “energy gels” with overwhelming enthusiasm. But what has changed?
From boozy nights to morning runs
One of the main reasons behind this long-distance running boom is a shift in social habits. If Saturday nights used to end with clubbing and a pizza at 3 a.m., now many prefer to go home early so they can wake up fresh for a morning run. The pandemic played a big role in this shift: with gyms closed and team sports unavailable, running outdoors became one of the few ways to stay active.
Then there’s the need for structure and clear goals. Many young people today face uncertainty: unstable jobs, sky-high rent, and little clarity about their future. Marathon training, with its strict schedule and the satisfaction of working toward a tangible goal, provides a sense of control and direction. In a time when buying a home seems like a fantasy, at least you can sign up for a race and know that, with effort, you can actually reach that finish line.
The thrill of the challenge
But it is not just a matter of the need for stability, there is also the thrill of the challenge: social media has given running enormous visibility, making it more accessible and motivating, with training groups, progress-tracking apps, and the ability to join one of the many communities that celebrate each milestone achieved together. Seeing friends and peers complete a marathon makes the task seem less impossible. After all, if they did it, why shouldn’t I?
Years ago, young runners gravitated toward the track, where speed and technique were key. Marathons seemed like a grueling, almost punishing effort compared to the fast-paced excitement of shorter races. Today, however, the idea of running for hours through a big city, surrounded by thousands of fellow runners and crowds cheering you on, has gained a whole new appeal. Running has become a social event, a way to travel, meet people, and share a unique experience.
A new generation of marathon runners
Today’s twenty-somethings are redefining the rules of running. Long distances, once dominated by experienced adults, are now being embraced by young runners as a symbol of their generation: a mix of personal challenge, discipline, and social connection.
Sure, track and short-distance races still have their charm, but the trend is clear: running a marathon is no longer just a crazy feat for the few, it’s a rite of passage for many. And you? Have you already run or planned your first marathon?