I'm no snob about regular folks (non-runners) training for marathons. I've run 19 so far but I will still get inspired by a good story of someone overcoming obstacles to complete that first marathon. I'm no chick, either, but an occasional tear has been known to well up while I'm getting inspired.
Not so with Nova's Marathon Challenge. There was far too much focus on knee pain, stress fractures, blisters, etc., and not enough on the physical training. Those are painful realities of marathon preparation, for sure, but I didn't get a real sense of the mileage and work that these folks were putting in. Non-runners watching the show could be left with a false impression of what is really needed to accomplish the goal of a marathon.
I also didn't really care about the runners, there was not enough background to establish an emotional connection with the show's subjects.
I'm not a snob about weight, either, and that's why I enjoy "The Biggest Loser". I should have just watched that, instead, for more inspiration.