I spent thousands on a ‘potentially dangerous’ marathon. I’d do it again

October 23, 2026 — 3:00am

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I went to the Chicago Marathon with a goal to run 42km in less than four hours … and a budget. I failed on both accounts.

For a long time, I swore myself off running. I didn’t understand why people voluntarily spent hundreds – or thousands – of dollars to put themselves through pain, and I couldn’t believe they actually enjoyed it.

Fast-forward two years, and I’ve become that insufferable friend and colleague whose favourite topics include the trials and triumphs of training for, and running in, marathons (it’s rather unfortunate for anyone who asks me what I did on the weekend or what my travel plans are).

A few weeks ago, I travelled to the US to run a marathon: my second one after finishing the Sydney Marathon last year. While the temperature took a toll on many runners, including me (24 degrees might sound perfect, but it’s much higher than the ideal marathon temperature range of 4 to 10 degrees), the financial cost of the marathon was possibly more painful.

There’s no doubt the exchange rate – at less than US70¢ for an Australian dollar at the time – worsened the blow to my hip pocket.

I’m training for a marathon. It’s about as fun (and pain-free) as fixing the economy

Millie MuroiEconomics Writer

Running, and running events such as marathons, are becoming increasingly large drivers of economic activity, especially as the sport’s popularity has boomed.

For a long time, running has been seen as a sport with low barriers to entry. That is, it’s an activity you can participate in with minimal costs or requirements: you don’t need a team, and you don’t need to pay for access to special venues or equipment. All you strictly need is the ability (and willingness) to run, and maybe a decent pair of shoes.

But as more people have taken to the sport, businesses have........

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