Half-marathons are half the distance, twice the fun and growing in popularity - Duluth News Tribune
When the Garry Bjorklund Half Marathon was created in 1991, the once-a-year marathoner didn’t need any prodding to make the switch. Andresen ran the first 15 half-marathons and, after a 10-year retirement due to knee problems, the 74-year-old Duluthian will make his return Saturday to run 13. 1 miles, the fastest-growing event distance in running. “When you finish the half, you actually feel pretty good,” Andresen said. According to data compiled by Running USA, more than 2 million runners completed half-marathons in 2014, the first time that threshold has been surpassed and nearly seven times as many as when the Bjorklund was created. There’s several factors why, including a demographic shift toward more female runners, an increase in the number of themed races and those run to promote a cause, and the simple fact that half-marathons are easier to train for and recover from. “There’s been a definite shift in the sport overall,” Running USA chief executive officer Rich Harshbarger said. The latest data shows 61 percent of half-marathon finishers across the country are women, the average age of runners is in their mid-to-upper 30s and the average finishing time is slowing down, perhaps due to more everyday runners entering. half-marathon, we’re seeing more women than men finishing. Women typically don’t make time for themselves as moms, as wives, as. Source: www.duluthnewstribune.com
