The difference between a half marathon (21.0975 km) and a full marathon (42.195 km) may seem obvious, but there has always been a lot of controversy between the two.
Some people will use the phrase "half marathon is not a horse" to ridicule runners who only run half marathons and not full marathons.
How should we look at this problem?
Distance & Experience
The full marathon, with a total length of 42.195 km, presents a rigorous challenge to the physical strength and endurance of the participants. In comparison, the length of the half marathon is 21.0975 km, and although the distance is halved, it does not mean that the challenge and effort are also reduced. In fact, half marathons also require runners to have a good physical foundation and a stable mental state.
In terms of physical exertion, a half marathon is clearly more acceptable than a full marathon, especially for beginners who are just starting to get started with long-distance running. They can test and enhance their endurance and speed over shorter distances, gradually developing confidence and interest in running.
It is true that the physical fitness, endurance and technical requirements of the half marathon are much lower than those of the full marathon, however, this does not mean that the half marathon is no less challenging. For many runners, a half marathon is their first severe running ordeal, requiring them to overcome physical losses and mental swings during the race.
Mental challenges are also an important distinction between the two marathon distances. While a full marathon is a tougher test of mental endurance and requires runners to stay focused and motivated for a longer period of time, half marathons also require runners to adjust their mindset during the race to cope with possible feelings of loss and nervousness.
It is this dual challenge of mind and body that makes the half marathon a sporting activity worthy of respect and recognition, not only a race, but also a stage for everyone's self-challenge and growth.
Status & Recognition
It is worth noting that major international events such as the Boston Marathon, the London Marathon, etc., usually only feature full marathons. This phenomenon not only reflects the position of the half marathon in the professional sports field, but also reveals the positioning of the market and the industry for the marathon.
From a market perspective, the full marathon has garnered high media attention and commercial sponsorship due to its challenging and long history. For example, sports brands are often willing to focus their resources on sponsoring a full marathon to strengthen their brand image and market presence.
This preference is based on the common belief that a full marathon is a showcase of extreme endurance and perseverance, while a half marathon is often seen as a more "light" activity.
From the perspective of the event organizers, running a marathon of international standards requires a huge investment of resources, including route planning, safety assurance, volunteer mobilization, etc. Therefore, choosing to run a full marathon can maximize the input-output ratio, especially when the number of participants has a direct impact on the impact and commercial value of the event.
Although the half marathon has the advantage of attracting amateurs, it is often inferior to the full marathon in terms of professionalism and influence.
In this environment, the recognition of half marathons in the professional sports field is naturally limited. While the half marathon offers many runners the opportunity to experience a long distance race with a lower barrier to entry, it still has a significant gap in being considered an official and core part of the marathon by the sports community and a wide audience.
Therefore, the recognition of the half marathon in professional competitive sports is still an area that needs to be improved.
Adaptation and development
For many runners, the half marathon is not only a physical and mental challenge, but also an important bridge to higher sports goals. Especially for runners who are trying to run long distances for the first time, the half marathon provides an ideal starting point.
It requires more training and physical commitment than a 5km or 10km race, so it is an effective way for beginners to adapt physically and mentally and lay a solid foundation for possible future full marathon events.
During the training of a half marathon, runners need to gradually build up their core strength and muscular endurance. This type of training not only improves running performance, but also helps prevent sports injuries.
By participating in a half marathon, runners can experience the unique challenge and sense of accomplishment that comes with running long distances, which greatly enhances their self-confidence and willingness to participate in future full marathons.
Therefore, although the half marathon is not as extreme as the full marathon in terms of distance, it is an indispensable intermediate step at the level of sports development. It not only allows runners to witness their progress in a short period of time, but also motivates them to challenge themselves and eventually reach new heights in their running careers.
Market & Culture
In the entire global marathon industry chain, half marathon and full marathon each play different roles.
Half marathons, due to their relatively short distances, are more favored by amateur runners. This feature allows organizers to appeal to a wider range of participants, especially those who are just getting started with long-distance running or who are not yet confident about completing a full marathon. As a result, the half marathon occupies an important entry-level position in the marathon market.
At the same time, half marathons are also closely linked to diversity and inclusion in the running culture. In different cultures, half marathons are often seen as a more approachable physical activity.
In some countries, such as the United States and some countries in Europe, half marathons are held very frequently and become part of community events and healthy lifestyles. In countries where marathons are just getting started, half marathons are an effective tool for promoting long-distance running.
However, despite the important role played by the half marathon in promoting running culture and broadening the market, it still lacks professionalism and recognition. Large-scale international events tend to focus on the full marathon and less on the half marathon.
This is not only reflected in the prize money and media coverage, but also in the perception differences between professional runners and the general public. Although the half marathon has its market value and cultural significance, it is clear that more time and effort will be needed to gain the same respect and recognition as the full marathon.
On the whole, the half marathon is not only a sport that comprehensively challenges physical and mental strength, but also an important supplement to the full marathon. In addition, it has a non-negligible impact on running culture and industry.
Do you run more in half a marathon or in a full marathon?