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Sharyn O’Halloran is a published author and award-winning George Blumenthal Professor of Political Economics at Columbia University. When she is not teaching, writing, or researching, Sharyn O’Halloran keeps fit by running and competing in marathons.
The concept of the marathon comes from the story of Pheidippides, a soldier who ran the 26 or so miles from the Greek town of Marathon to Athens to announce victory over Persia in 490 BCE. After announcing the victory, he fell over and died. Though the long-distance journey was fatal to Pheidippides, running marathons can have many health benefits.
Runners tend to lose weight, especially during training season while they are working towards the longer run. With proper form, running can protect bones and joints, and evidence has shown that runners are less likely to have diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
Runners also see many mental health benefits, including reduced depression. Marathons have a social and community aspect which can greatly improve a person’s general health, and long-distance running is itself quite meditative, which can help release stress. Marathons are also very difficult and require a lot of training to get through safely, so completing one is a major accomplishment and may boost one’s confidence.