2. Topics to Discuss Overview of Topic Historical Development of the Marathon Intro. of Running Cultures into Western Competitions Running Cultures An Understanding to Change Perceptions
3. Overview of Unequal Running Marathons in Western Societies is relatively recent development in the History of Running. Long distance running has been practiced long before the Olympic Marathon Some cultures have retained this practice in: Persistence Hunting The Marathon Monks The Tarahumara Running Societies have had their cultural practices used in Western Marathons
4. History of Marathon The Marathon is fabled after Pheidippides’s run to Athens after the Battle of Marathon Often Credited as being the ultimate test of human capability Olympic Marathon (26.2 miles) was made official in 1921 Predominantly European descent countries held top places
5. Running Cultures in Marathons The Introduction of Kenya into the World Races Cybernetics of Kenyan Running- R.E. Mayes 1982: World Road Race Rankings- 2 of 10 top rankings were Kenyan 1990: Kenya’s Commissioner of Sports lifted Travel and Agent restrictions 1992: World Road Race Rankings- 9 of 10 top rankings were Kenyan The Marathon was established long before Agents could implement Kenyan Runners into competitions
6. Running Cultures in Marathons Different perceptions of Competition African Approach to Competition- Geoff Fenwick “Running is for capture or escape…It is difficult to explain to a tribesmen the purpose of running around an oval track…To lure him you need a cow for a prize or a bicycle. The pastoralist, for all his talent, has his own preconceived notions concerning the true nature of competition. (pg. 23)” Kenya has been one isolated instance that has been able to adapt its runners into the marathon competition There are other running cultures that do not compete in marathons because they have no reason to compete.
7. Running Cultures Marathon Monks 53 mi/day for 100 days as part of spiritual enlightenment quest Reasons for running have no connection to Marathon Competition Tarahumara Culture, Mexico Champion Runner totaled 435mi run without rest Isolated Culture/ Difference in Competitive Ideals has hindered inclusion in Marathons
8. A Change of Perspective There is no single culture that is the Champion Running Culture Historical transitions between record holders Culture may define beneficial lifestyles but does not dictate an advantage Application: Cultural practices cannot be exploited for others competition
9. Works Referenced Data on Kenyan Running in World Competitions Mayes, Randall E. The Cybernetics of Kenyan Running. North Carolina: Carolina Academic Press, 2005. Print. Quotations on African Cultural Attitudes on Competition Fenwick, Geoff. The African Approach to Competition. Mountain View, CA: World Publications, 1975. Print. Data on Tarahumara Running McDougall, Christopher. Born to Run. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2009. Print.
