Why do runners take on the challenge of a difficult event like a marathon or half marathon?

At first, many runners want to achieve what very few people achieve: only one-tenth of one percent of the population finish either a half or a full marathon each year.  After completing the training and the marathon, many runners break through mental confidence barriers and go on to accomplishing things they never thought possible before their finish.  Finishing one of these events changes most lives for the better. 

I look forward to seeing all of the first timers this weekend at the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer! 

Jeff Galloway smiling near a lake with city skyline in the distance.
Jeff Galloway

Jeff Galloway, US Olympian and creator of the Run-Walk-Run method, has helped over 350,000 runners achieve their goals through his innovative training programs. As Runner's World's monthly columnist and author of North America's best-selling running book, Jeff has spent over 50 years sharing his expertise and continues to conduct running seminars worldwide as runDisney's Official Training Consultant.

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