Marathon participation is surging, fueled in large part by 20-somethings who’ve embraced distance running as a way to deal with their quarter-life crises. Journalist Maggie Mertens and researcher Kevin Masters break down the state of the race. This episode was produced by Amanda Lewellyn, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Rob Byers and Andrea Kristinsdottir, and hosted by Sean Rameswaram. Transcript at vox.com/today-explained-podcast Support Today, Explained by becoming a Vox Member today: http://www.vox.com/members A runner in a Rubik's Cube costume during the 2024 London Marathon. Photo by Daniel Lai/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
While running marathon, there are people who end up pooping themselves.
Peeing your pants is definitely something that happens.
There's definitely, like, vomiting that happens.
People get overheated, dehydrated.
You know, you can have foot problems, leg problems, knee problems.
Runner's knee is one that I've had friends suffer from, which is pretty, pretty sad.
Just means you kind of like, ran too much and your knee is not happy about it.
Nipple chafing.
You know, chafing in general, like thigh chafing, arm chafing.
I had a really bad, like, armpit chafe after one race.
I mean, there's very rare cases of people who have heart attacks while they run marathons.
Okay?
But all that aside, it could be the greatest thing you ever do.
It could be.
I mean, it absolutely could be.
It could be something that changes your life, that makes you feel like a rock star, that, like, changes how you view yourself.
Why everyone Seems to be Running a marathon now on Today Explained.
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