Marathon FAQ

Question: How should I choose a marathon if I want to run a fast time?

Answer: Avoid crowded races. Most runners in the large population events run more than three-quarters of a mile farther than marathon distance. Since you don’t get credit for the extra distance, it is harder to run goal pace in these venues. Look for smaller marathons that have a good record for producing fast times. Visit www.marathonguide.com and www.RunnersWorld.com for a lot of information with runner reviews, which are usually quite revealing. Courses that have slight upgrades of short duration allow for a varied use of muscle groups, which often helps in reducing muscle fatigue. There are many downhill courses that can help speed you up – if you train on downhill courses. While you cannot control the weather, look for venues that tend to have high temperatures of 60 degrees F (15 degrees C) or cooler during the month when you are running your race.

Jeff Galloway Resources: www.jeffgalloway.com Visit the E-Shop where you will find “Galloway’s Marathon FAQ” and other books for your running library. 

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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