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.