Marathon (Wo)men, Smashing Stereotypes

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Added: Fri Oct 31st 11:40am
Posted in: Running & Marathons

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With just two days left until the New York City Marathon, I can't imagine what the runners are going through. For the elite athletes, the focus is most likely on the finish. They'll be trying to come in at the top of their age groups, and trying to better previous finish times. For the novice athletes, it's most likely about finishing at all -- no matter the time. Some are running because they love it; some are running to honor loved ones. All will push their bodies and their spirits beyond the limits.

In 2007, more than 38,000 men and women competed in the marathon. That's 38,000 stories. Defending champion Paula Radcliffe will take on the challenge, fresh off her competition in the Beijing Olympics. Tegla Loroupe, one of the most successful women in the history of the sport, will also be there. On the men's side, Paul Tergat will represent Kenya, to try and win the marathon for the second time in four years, and American Bolota Asmerom is making his marathon debut but is expcted to do well.

Those are the names you'll hear this weekend; the faces you'll see in the post-race video highlights. They're included in the 38,000 stories, but they're not the ones that give me chills.


Joy Johnson says she wants to die running -- that's how passionate she is about the sport. Now 81 years old, Johnson (profiled here in The Wall Street Journal,) won her age group in last year's New York City Marathon, but that wasn't good enough. She finished the race in about seven hours, and this year, she's hoping to do better.


Bertha McGruder is also profiled in the article, and says she is hoping to beat Johnson -- using her legs. "I have my stronger leg muscles now," McGruder tells the WSJ. "I can feel it in my thighs."

These are women who, by all stereotypical beliefs, shouldn't be running ... they should be walking, probably with assistance of a cane or a walker! They can't possibly finish such a grueling event ... right?

WRONG. And if you think these women are the only examples of amazing athletes, pushing their bodies and overcoming obstacles, you're wrong again.

Check out these examples -- you don't have to go too far. They've all shared their stories with Growing Bolder.

• Masters Triathlon Championship
• The Couple That Sweats Together...
• Bob Matteson
• Lynn Tracey
• Madonna Buder