Sad comments on Chicago Marathon Facebook page

I'm all for being nice to newb/slow runners, but walking =/= running.

The Unwashed Marathon Masses wrote:

Enjoy these comments posted today on the Chicago Marathon Facebook page from those that got in via lottery entry:

"A lot of people use a run/walk method and most time there is walking within the first mile." -Gail Silcox

"I'm fired up about this because whenever I see this "walking is not real running" garbage it just helps to prove the point to some people that runners are complete jerks. Don't be that guy." -Stacey Lynch

"First marathon! Never been the biggest fan of running! Anyone have any tips?!?" -Kaitlyn Krienheder

"Eek. I'm in for it again. I do it because I can. For all those who can't." -Melanie Martin Kaloustian

these people will be behind you within the first mile, and help cover the costs (i.e. subsidize) the cost of the race. Unless you want to pay $2,000 to run the race, you need them to pay just a fraction of that.

Plus, even walking a marathon is healthier than anything else most people would do on that morning so...what's the issue?

Probably shouldn't have quoted them with their full names. Made a bit of an ass of yourself.

The Unwashed Marathon Masses wrote:

"First marathon! Never been the biggest fan of running! Anyone have any tips?!?" -Kaitlyn Krienheder

I can never understand why someone would run a marathon if they don't like running. Seriously. There are a million better ways to stay healthy. There is no good reason to run a marathon other than pure love of the sport.

Aren't you guaranteed a spot if you run a 3:15 as a male or 3:45 as a female...insanely slow by LetsRun standards, I mean you might as well be walking for those times...so I guess it makes sense?!

This is such a silly post.

Do you want this sport to be popular?

Some sports are popular because the general public enjoys watching the sport (i.e. football, basketball). Unfortunately running is not one of those sports (it is like nascar without the crashes and the distance runners are going 14 mph...), running has been picking up popularity because people can relate to the sport. This is great for the support, the more people that get involved, the more money flows into the sport and the more publicity it gets. Why hate on these people?

So who cares wrote:

Aren't you guaranteed a spot if you run a 3:15 as a male or 3:45 as a female...insanely slow by LetsRun standards, I mean you might as well be walking for those times...so I guess it makes sense?!

I think I would die of boredom going 7:25 pace for 3 hours before the fatigue actually set in...

why do you do this? wrote:

Do you want this sport to be popular?

No, I do not.

Used to build up to the marathon after years running shorter distances. Used to respect the distance and the effort. Is running a sport, or just a health endeavor?

Another58 wrote:

these people will be behind you within the first mile, and help cover the costs (i.e. subsidize) the cost of the race. Unless you want to pay $2,000 to run the race, you need them to pay just a fraction of that.

Do you have any evidence to back this claim? My impression is that race fees have increased with the running boom (beyond what you would expect from inflation) rather than become cheaper.

Damn you Obama!!!!

you mad Brofessor???

Who cares? Really does this affect you in any way, shape or form?

SMNRunner wrote:

Probably shouldn't have quoted them with their full names. Made a bit of an ass of yourself.

Huh? These comments were posted by choice of these individuals on a public forum. They can be reviewed on the Chicago Marathon Facebook page. You can then click their profiles to read more about them.

No expectation of privacy.

You must be one of those named.

The Unwashed Marathon Masses wrote:

"A lot of people use a run/walk method and most time there is walking within the first mile." -Gail Silcox

\

Walking in the FIRST MILE? Pathetic. Should not be out there. If you walk in the first mile the street sweepers will be on you not too long after. And these same people complain that they were "taken" off the course they paid for.

If you are walking in the first mile of the marathon you should not be out there. Period. Start with a 5K first. The trouble is this selfie generation wants everyone to say look at me!

Wet towell wrote:

The Unwashed Marathon Masses wrote:

"First marathon! Never been the biggest fan of running! Anyone have any tips?!?" -Kaitlyn Krienheder

I can never understand why someone would run a marathon if they don't like running. Seriously. There are a million better ways to stay healthy. There is no good reason to run a marathon other than pure love of the sport.

She wants to post and document everything all summer to Facebook and Insta of her "EPIC" accomplishment. Not too far off from the same mentality as Mike Rossi at Boston. It's all about them and saying look at me!!!! I'm amazing!!!

The truth is there are very few elite marathon runners, people who run a marathon to make money. Why does everyone else pay money to run a marathon? What bugs the OP is that people run marathons largely for the same reason - a sense of personal accomplishment, whether or not they feel the need to tell the whole world about it (a lot also want the recognition). Sadly, for people like the OP, it diminishes his sense of accomplishment when so many other people can do what he does. It becomes important to his fragile ego to distinguish his accomplishment from what others do - "they don't do what he does, he works way harder, what he does is more of an achievement" etc. The need for exclusion of others to feel special is not something new.

if you want to set up your own marathon, let's say with a 2:45 cut off, go for it. There is nothing stopping you. You can even create an elite marathon series. But, do you know why you won't? Money. The same reason people can now walk marathons - the race wants the money. And who does it hurt? Just the egos of the insecure.

Poor snowflake. You can't handle the fact that you too are a Gallowalker and will never BQ.

I run the 800. No desire to run a marathon. But, never say never, maybe when I'm old I'll need that to feel special too.