The Science of Marathon Running

↓ More info and sources below ↓

I ran one… FOR SCIENCE!

So maybe we can't outrun cheetahs or antelope, but humans are uniquely adapted for long distance running. What does science have to say about marathon running? To find out, (and because I was feeling a little crazy) I decided to run one!

Here's what I discovered about the science of long distance running

Joe Hanson - Host and writer
Joe Nicolosi - Director
Amanda Fox - Producer, Spotzen IncKate Eads - Associate Producer
Katie Graham - Director of Photography
Andrew Matthews - Editor and motion graphics
John Knudsen - Gaffer

Music:
"Ouroboros" by Kevin MacLeod

Other music via APM

Stock images via Shutterstock

Produced for PBS Digital Studios
-----------
Join us on Patreon!

Twitter

Instagram

Merch

Facebook

[matthewgillespie]

Mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell

[georgiosdoumas]

For all of you who wonder why Pheidipides died (although he was a messenger, meaning that he was one of the official guys for jobs like that, so he was training regularly) : Around 2 weeks before the battle, he run from Athens to Sparta (246 km) in a day and a half (around 36 hours), he asked Spartans for help, he slept a few hours and return back to Athens (and we can be sure that he the return trip Sparta-Athens in less than 2 days). Then he participated in the battle of Marathon, so he was fighting for an hour or 2 with full armor. Then (without getting rid of everything from his equipment) he run to Athens.

[ssotkow]

As a mere 10K runner... i totally respect Marathon athletes .

[richskater]

As I train for a half that I'm not even sure will happen, I was finding it hard to get out there today. I come to YouTube for motivation in times like these and this did the trick today, so thanks for your story.

[phampants]

The modern distance of a marathon of 26.2 was set at the 1908 London Olympics because the finish line was not where the royal box was located.  So they extended the race & place the finish line at the royal.  Since then, the distance became 26.2  

Prior to that the estimated distance between the Battle of Marathon to Athens is about 25 miles.

[andersonl]

Distant running is largely mental, its such a challenge. I love that about running, its you vs yourself..

[zk]

2:38 Some of us have bigger 'gluteus maximus' muscles than others, but this is probably an adaption to help us facilitate better twerking.

[yuanyuanintaiwan]

Really enjoyed that one. I did multiple marathons, but I will always remember the very first one when I hit the wall at around 3/4 of the race. Experiencing it and overcoming it is something so unique, an amazing life experience.

[EntropyVX]

3:39 Damn good time for a first marathon!

[gakaface]

Apart from the odd small mistakes, that was really enjoyable. And running a 3:39 marathon like that is an incredible performance.

[davidjatak]

"tall thin bodies"
Guess I'm not a human then.

[NatalieSmith-uxwe]

This makes me want to run a marathon. Our bodies are so cool

[JazzyNym]

Ah, mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell. Literally the one bit of biology they make sure everyone will remember before leaving school...

[colunizator]

i quit smoking 13 months ago. Today i am able to run 5k in 25 minutes and planning to go further.I try to show and teach my friends and family members what is like and infect them with good habits

[THERepublic]

He died because he ran to Sparta to ask for help, they denied his request because of a religious holiday, so he ran back. This totaled 280 miles. When Marathon won the battle against the Persians he then ran to Athens and died . He died because he ran over 300 miles in a matter of a few days not because he ran an easy 26.2 miles, which is not the distance. 26.2 became the distance in 1908 during the Olympics in London. You're a scientist not a historian.

[thewadsquad]

This is wonderful and amazing! I just ran my first one!!

[thatsoliz]

I ran my first marathon in my first semester of grad school in 2012. Everything you said about the second half if totally true. But the feeling after finishing was amazing!

[fsalzar]

The original mileage ran by Phiddipides was actually 25 miles. The queen of England, early 1900's, wanted the Marathon to start from her balcony so she could watch it begin, thus it is now 26.2. 

[TrajanaFortis]

This video was very well done; as was the explanation on cellular respiration. 

[mariokartprime]

"I've never run a marathon before"

"3:39"

This makes us 5 hour marathoners sad...