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A new study by Apple, the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the American Heart Association has revealed that more and more people are participating in marathons.
Based on data from the Apple Heart and Movement Study, the study also revealed some interesting new and notable trends in marathons.
Between November 2019 and January 2024, there was a noticeable surge in global marathon participation.
The study, which included over 250,000 participants, delved into training habits and engagement with marathon distances, explicitly focusing on the 26.2-mile challenge. During this timeframe, more than 1,500 runners participated in an impressive total of 2,623 marathons, with October and November emerging as peak marathon months.
Analysis of workout data revealed that half of the participants would walk or run the distance in 90 days or less, indicating a noteworthy fitness level among the cohort.
Furthermore, a subgroup of over 200,000 participants who logged at least one walking or running workout showcased promising achievements in distance.
Among walkers, approximately 54 percent covered a minimum of 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) in their longest walk, while nearly 14 percent exceeded the 10-kilometer mark. Notably, only a small fraction, just over 1 percent, managed to reach a half-marathon distance or beyond in a single walk.
Similar trends were seen among runners, with about half achieving a 5-kilometer distance in their longest run. Approximately 20 percent of the participants have completed at least one 10-kilometre run. In comparison, an impressive 7 percent of participants have covered a distance of one half-marathon or greater in a single run.
The study also provided insights into training and recovery patterns. Analysis of average weekly running distances revealed a tapering phenomenon characterized by a reduction in mileage three to four weeks preceding a marathon, followed by a sharp decline post-event.
Additionally, 43 percent of participants exhibited an increase in VO2 Max, a measure of aerobic fitness, in the final two weeks of training compared to the preceding period.
Interestingly, the top 10 percent of finishers showed a higher average weekly running distance, approximately 25 kilometers (16 miles) more, in the lead-up to the marathon compared to other participants.
