One fifth of people don't have the 'marathon gene'

[pinkaardvark]

Very interesting Statistic. I wonder how many of us have this gene? I'm not sure I have lol.

From realbuzz.com/articles-inter... - the other stats are interesting too.

"The marathon attracts people of all shapes, sizes and abilities, and it is perhaps from this that has strung the belief that anyone can run one as long as they train properly. However, while it may be true that most people could complete a marathon, research suggests that 20 per cent of people genetically would be incapable of running a marathon in a good time, even if they dedicated plenty of time to training properly.

Researchers at the University of Loughborough found that the ability to run a marathon in a good time requires a specific combination of genes, which nearly one fifth of the population simply don't possess. According to the researchers, those without this combination of genes will struggle to improve their performance no matter how much they dedicate themselves to training.

The reasoning for this is because this one fifth of people have muscles which don't extract as much oxygen as runners with this right mix of genes, and intensive training can actually further reduce their body’s ability to carry oxygen to their muscles. The researchers suggest that these runners would be better served by building up their strength and muscle tissue in the gym."

[andystev]

I'd be interested in their definition of "a good time". It's a bit like saying not everyone has olympic potential.

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon in reply to andystev]

under 3 hours probably, anything else is walking no?

[andystev in reply to pinkaardvark]

Umm, No.

[MikeJones68 Half Marathon in reply to pinkaardvark]

Running a marathon in less than 3 hours requires you to run at an average of 4:16/km!!! That's 18 seconds per km faster than my record over 6km!!

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon in reply to MikeJones68]

Yeah we have some work to do. But we haven't been at it long so give us time 😜. These really shouldn't be titled good for age or at least they should be understood as at the very top of the age group nationally.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to andystev]

I imagine it's something like the London Marathon 'Good for Age' times..

virginmoneylondonmarathon.c...

The researchers have developed a test for these genes, I don't think I'd want to take it

telegraph.co.uk/news/scienc...

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Sub 3:05 for 40-44 so about what I thought hehe.. seems fair

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to pinkaardvark]

I'm moving into the sub-4 category soon, I can work with that!

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I think any time is amazing.. sub 4 is quite an achievement though! But it looks like you can do that no worries!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to pinkaardvark]

Oof - I should have added a smiley-winky face to my comment really... Might be able to squeeze a sub-four marathon, but I'm not sure I fancy all the pain and suffering involved!

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

No i totally believe you could do that with spades if you chose to

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to pinkaardvark]

You're too kind

[Tbae Metric Marathon in reply to pinkaardvark]

Hi Mike,

Just wanted to say after reading this and your replies and previous stuff on here, Statistics is a very mathematical and conceptually simple and powerful tool.

I know this research is a little different.

I would not be surprised if the marathon sample size and prediction stats may have been done by this same body.

Whether anyone thinks differently or not, we all sit somewhere from 0-100% on most normal distribution curves.🤔🙈😂

If you are ever looking for indications or guidance the info is valid. The researchers also have the humility and sincereity to acknowledge certain limitations also.

Some famous politician said , there are lies, dam lies and statistics.

That’s just ignorance.

I took a final year subject called Operationl Research or Operational Analysis Techniques,as it was called and used during the 2nd world war,instead of mathematics in my Engineering Degree.

Have faith in its findings.🤔👏👏💥🏃‍♂️💥

[Sqkr Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

Sub 3.45 😐 I don't think I'll ever go sub 3.45! The Garmin race predictor said something like that when I took a look the other day, and I laughed in its wee face. I don't know if I have the marathon gene but I do have the 'I shan't stop unless my legs fall off' gene, which ties nicely in with the first point in the list!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Sqkr]

It's not a very cheery list, is it?!

[Hidden in reply to roseabi]

Who knew it was so difficult to enter a marathon!

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

It's OK, for the London marathon you also have the options of either raising £2000+ for charity, or entering their lottery with a 1/14 chance of a place - simple!

Most marathons aren't like that though

[Sqkr Half Marathon in reply to roseabi]

I think it's the main thing that puts me off London—I know it's iconic, but for all that effort and money I feel like I'd rather get a guaranteed entry somewhere a bit more, dare I say, interesting...

[Hidden in reply to roseabi]

I'm guessing with it being popular they have to do something to narrow it down fairly. Most events I've seen are on a first come, first served basis but that would be a nightmare for something this big.

It's all very interesting though.

I've been watching some super-ultras on Netflix (e.g. The Barkley Marathons, Finding Traction and Karl Meltzer: Made to be Broken) and I'm just in awe of these people. Their dedication and hard-work is phenomenal. The trails in the US are amazing.

[roseabi Ultramarathon in reply to Hidden]

Oh yes, I'm sure you're right! I think the ballot is rather fun - as long as you don't care whether or not you win a place - although I don't have all that far to travel so it's easier for me than for many.

Ooh, I loved that Barkley Marathons documentary, must check out those others...

[Hidden in reply to roseabi]

If you loved Barkley then yes, you'll absolutely love the other 2. They each follow the journey of the athlete, one male Karl Meltzer and the other female, Nikki Kimball. Now, I may be bias, but what Nikki is doing for females in sport is just awesome.

[mrrun Ultramarathon]

Genes , talent and hard work! That’s the background of any sport, whether we like it or not. Everyone can dive in the sea or play recreational basketball but only a handful can actually ‘do’ it at top level. Marathon ain’t walking in the park, especially if you run the whole distance without stopping or walking breaks. That is not to say that people should not attempt and do it their own way. Over here, being an astronaut, an F1 driver and a successful concert pianist (or at least a world heavyweight boxing champ) were job descriptions that l decided not to apply for quite early in my development.

[ju-ju- Marathon in reply to mrrun]

yes I was tempted to be an astronaught then decided that the commute would be too much

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon in reply to mrrun]

I was a space cadet for a good few years

[Whatsapp Half Marathon]

Surely having the specific combination of genes required can be attributed to running a "good time" for any distance?

I'd like to think Usain Bolt had some physical advantage and it wasn't just down to my general laziness that I havent run a sub 10sec 100m sprint.

[ju-ju- Marathon]

That is so 'athletic' which is great for those athletes and people that have that focus to push so very hard. I do not aspire to nor want super times, more that I enjoy it and feel strong at the end from a strong and fit body, but we are all different in our goals which is also good

[MMlk]

Oh no that is extremely distressing as I have strong reason to believe that I am one of the 20% of those unfortunate people. I wonder how I can take that test now...

[misswobble Marathon]

Me too Ju. I ran one at 60 and from being a C25k graduate not long ago.

On paper I had a four hour projected time, based on sub 2 hour HM. Doesn’t work like that though, sadly, and it took me nearer six hours. I did it though, and strongly,and was fine afterwards.

We can’t know if we’re geneteically suitable can we. We have to find out, and so we train. I’m glad I didn’t know or I might not have tried it 🤷‍♀️

[Tbae Metric Marathon]

Depressing stats, Michael.Genes, even the one about not running more than 20 miles a week.🤔

I was just about to throw my toys out of the pram and thought about getting on the blower to my deceased parents to ask them what’s going on.🤔

Abi’s links came to the rescue.👍Age related stuff.👍Magic 🌟

I am probably not in the right bit, but I think it may have just made me more determined to run🤔 every step of the way for a 75-80 age related in under 7 hours.

That’s a long shift,do not think it is a winter event, not enough daylight hours.🤔🙈😂😂

Good article Michael.👍👏👏

Perception is reality.🤔

[pinkaardvark Half Marathon]

One thing people don't seem to consider is that Usain bolt and mo farah have been training since children. Other club athletes have been running for years if not decades. Sure sub 3 hours seems far away for me at my age but in 5 years time after I have run a good handful of events and done significant work. Then maybe I could say my genes are not right for it and those times are unachievable. We seem to aim so high so quickly with running. I know no snowboarders who pull off a triple Cork 1080 rodeo after 12 months slope time so I don't expect many of us to be smashing the barriers in that article. But I know many of you can 🤜

[Tbae Metric Marathon in reply to pinkaardvark]

You are a star Mike.💥🏃‍♂️💥

Keep bringing it.👍👏😂

It even touched on ladies having the incorrect bra size.🙈

Hey Mike it is all good stuff and helpful.

I am praying I can still grow these things mentioned in Abi’s telegraph link, if not I will still do it in spite of the research.🤔🙈😂😂

Points above all true and well made.💥🏃‍♂️💥🔥

Keep going with your training and I will follow on, 4 hours later🙈😂