Running is a relative term. I ran/walked my first marathon (Maui 07) and was thrilled with a 5:09 finish time. The fact I made it to the end, and was willing and able to run again by the end of that week, was all that I wanted.  Next "race" is Ogden in May and I all I hope for is under 5 hours.  I "run" for fun, fitness, and friends; that is enough for me.

I think I would agree that "running" a marathon is a relative term!  That is probably why marathon organizers tend to prefer the term "finisher".  How ever you finish a marathon is an accomplisment.  I believe special credit ought to be given to those who are not naturally talented and are brave enough to opt to do a marathon, walking or running the whole thing.  So if they finish marathons, then they are marathon finishers.  Not everyone can do that.   If you want to be more than a mere finisher, than go for it and get a good finish time and brag about that all you want.  I was very thrilled to be a finisher, but now I want to do better than that.   I never will I look down on anyone who finishes them however they did them.