Finish Lines, Not Finish Times: Making Meaning of the “Marathon Maniacs”

Abstract

This paper examines how marathoners develop multiple and diverse subjectivities within this distance running space. Specifically, we engage in a case study and critically explore the various ways that a small but growing running group called the “Marathon Maniacs” positions itself within the marathon community. Drawing on Bourdieu’s (1984, 1986, 1990) interdependent concepts of field, habitus, and capital, we uncover the multiple and complex ways that legitimate marathon bodies are constructed within this group. We untangle how the Maniacs negotiate beliefs prominently held in the larger marathon community, revealing how some beliefs are reappropriated in Maniac culture. Further, we critically analyze the forms of capital that are privileged within the Marathon Maniacs, identifying how these practices serve to distinguish and classify Maniacs as distance runners (Bourdieu, 1986, 1990; Krais, 2006).

Informal sport and curriculum futures: An investigation of the knowledge, skills and understandings for participation and the possibilities for physical education

“…In describing facilitated parkour classes, Wheaton and O’Loughlin (2017) similarly refer to participants with diverse skill levels, including ‘non-sporty’ participants, training together in an atmosphere of mutual support. In Cohen and Hanold’s (2016) study, marathon runners reported that their goal was to run for fun, not time, whilst setting other challenges or simply talking to people and really enjoying the experience. Even the quite capable runners described by Ronkainen et al (2017), while looking to improve their individual athletic performance, were not that interested in running ‘being too serious’ (Ronkainen et al, 2017: 375).…”

Personality and Mental Toughness of the Marathon Maniac

“…The only existing study on Marathon Maniacs examined their motivation from a sociological perspective (Cohen & Hanold, 2015). Researchers conducted semi-structured interviews with 30 Marathon Maniac members (16 men, 14 women) at two marathon race expos that have a high attendance from this group (Marathon Maniac Reunion Race held at the Louisiana Marathon in 2014 and the Tacoma City Marathon, held near the Marathon Maniac headquarters).…”