I received in the mail today the 200+ page listing of the Chicago Marathon results from last October. While most of the pages were ads or small-font listing of results (I was deep in the mud on page 103, finisher # 30,127!), one set of facts was quite fascinating to me:
• 45,000 people officially registered for the race
• 38,132 people crossed the starting line (84.7% of registrants)
• 36,088 people crossed the finish line (94.6% of the starters)
Given that registration for this race sold out 7-8 months before race day, these numbers says to me that merely signing up for a race does not mean you will run it. Too many things can happen and get in the way.
But, if you can get yourself to the starting line, you have a very good chance of finishing...even in very warm conditions like this race.
Perhaps good encouragement for folks wanting to know how to finish a marathon...get yourself to the start, uninjured, first and foremost.
Persevere.
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2 comments:
So true! Just showing up (for your training as well as the race) is half the battle.
For sure. There's only been 2 marathons that I DNS'd due to injury. All the rest if I got to the start I made it to the finish. Not always gracefully, but I got there.
Based on page numbers you are pretty firmly middle of the pack. ;-)
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