The strenuous physical activity tends to decrease in most animals with increasing age. In humans this is not always true, because it is noted today a significant increase of individuals who continue to remain physically active even when they are older.
In recent years the worldwide success is experiencing the marathon (42.195 km) is a demonstration of this track.
- In Italy 2018, 37,874 individuals whose 6,872 are women have been finishers.
- It is increased the number of runners who run the marathon with times from four hours and thirty minutes: this year were 9508, corresponding to an increase of 25% compared to 2017.
- In our country, just 43 athletes have raced in less than two hours and thirty equivalent to a decrease of 23.2% compared to 2017.
- Even the group between three hours and three hours and thirty decreased of 28.6% and it corresponds to 6,553 individuals.
- The largest number of finishers was between three hours forty five and four hours: 4,752 (- 5.8% compared to the previous year).
He’s probably right Daniele Menarini explaining these data of the increased of the slow-running as linked to the diffusion of fitwalking and nordic walking. The marathon continues to be a challenge with oneself also at low speeds. Accepting this approach can lead to a conception of this race as a motivating experience even for those who do not run (or walk) with the logic of time but to live an experience that as a citizen is still extreme. Menarini suggests at this regard to increase the maximum time to accommodate more participants, following the spirit of what is happening in Japan. Murakami Haruki, the writer-marathoner, reminds us:
“In long-distance running the only opponent you have to beat is yourself, the way you used to be.”
