Marathon running originated as an elite Olympic event but has surged in popularity over decades, evolving into a mass-participation spectacle. Muniyo Quick Polling shows that 40% of people have participated in at least one marathon event. Key drivers include cultural shifts, technological advances, and social trends that made the 42-kilometer challenge accessible and appealing to millions.

The modern marathon debuted at the 1896 Athens Olympics, inspired by the legend of Pheidippides, drawing massive crowds and establishing it as a symbol of endurance. By the 1970s running boom in the US, sparked by Frank Shorter's 1972 Olympic win and jogging's rise, participation exploded—Boston Marathon finishers grew from 1,011 to 5,958 in that decade alone, while New York City's went from 55 to 10,447 (nationalgeographic.com).

Between 1970s and 1980s, jogging became a fitness craze, with an estimated 25 million Americans taking it up, fueled by elite athletes like Bill Rodgers and events promoting inclusivity. Big-city marathons like London's 1981 debut saw 7,000 starters, doubling the next year amid 90,000 applicants, as the race shifted from elite to aspirational for everyday runners (runningstudies.co.uk).

After 2000, marathon participation bounced back strongly, especially with more women joining the sport—female applicants for the London Marathon reached 40% by 2020. Major races set records with huge crowds, like Paris (54,175 finishers in 2024), Berlin (54,280), and New York (55,646). COVID-19 lockdowns sparked a boom in outdoor running, including a 20% rise in trail running since 2020, fueled by running clubs, parkrun events, and social media influencers that made it accessible to all, while Gen Z has driven much of the growth. For example, the share of 20-somethings in the NYC Marathon in 2025 rose from 15% in 2019 to 19% in 2023. A focus on wellness, charity fundraising (such as London's $1.7 billion total), and mental health benefits have all helped lower barriers to entry (cnn.com).

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