How old should you be to run a marathon?

Question

I am 17 and i will be 18 in July. I was wondering how old i should be to run a marathon. I read that I should be at least 18 so i wont stress my tendons and stuff, however I am a smaller person and i dont know if i am done growing yet. Would i hurt myself to run a marathon? I have done track all four years of high school and xc my jr. and sr. years.

Answer 1

You will probably be ok running a marathon at your age. If your not done growing, your muscles might ache for a few more days but if you feel you're in shape then go ahead. I will tell you that a male is most athletic at the ages of 21 - 26. If you really feel it will do more harm then good, just don't run it and wait a few years. Good luck man.

Answer 2

C'mon be real.  How we gonna know without any idea about your current training???  What kind of mileage are you doing weekly???  How many 5Ks and 10Ks have you run in???

You apparently have a growing misconception that you just have to think it to do it.  A Marathon is something you gotta put in lots of mileage to get there.  You don't go from HS xc to a marathon without paying some kind of price.

You need to get on a plan for maybe late 09, build your mileage, and train your brain.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Why don't you ask your doctor and see at your next physical. If you are having doubts, why don't you try a half marathon?

Answer 4

I ran my first one earlier this year...and I was 14. I had no problems, so I think you should do great! You will have so much fun! It's really a blast.