35 Marathon Quotes To Keep You Running When It Gets Tough

Devangana Rathore
Dec 12, 2023 By Devangana Rathore
Originally Published on Feb 25, 2021
Edited by Monisha Kochhar
Marathon, street runners in spring day
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Age: 0-99
Read time: 5.8 Min

A Marathon is a race of approximately 26 miles or 42 km.

Funny marathon quotes and half marathon quotes are definitely the push we need to finish our personal races. If you are missing that extra boost of energy and motivation to cross the finish line, our list of pumped-up quotes will help you.

If you too, enjoy reading inspirational running quotes, do check out Usain Bolt quotes and Track and Field quotes.

Inspiring Marathon Running Quotes

Kids run in the city park on outdoor track.

Motivational quotes and marathon running quotes are a must-have when preparing to go the distance. So whether you are one of the long-time runners or just joined the race, these motivational quotes on running and these marathon quotes will definitely inspire you to achieve your athletic goals.

1. "I dare you to train for a marathon, and not have it change your life."

-Susan Sidoriak

2. "Every marathon I ran, I knew I had a faster one in me."

-Dick Beardsley

3. "Of all the races, there is no better stage for heroism than a marathon."

-George Sheehan

4. "Ask yourself: ‘Can I give more?’ The answer is usually: ‘Yes’.”

– Paul Tergat

5. "I would love for everybody in this country to run one marathon a year."

- Gary Muhrcke

6. “When you run the marathon, you run against the distance, not against the other runners and not against the time.”

-Haile Gebrselassie

7. "It is difficult to train for a marathon, but it is even more difficult to not be able to train for a marathon."

-Aaron Douglas Trimble

8. “Winning has nothing to do with racing. Most days don’t have races anyway. Winning is about struggle and effort and optimism, and never, ever, ever giving up.”

– Amby Burfoot

9. "Marathoning. The triumph of desire over reason."

-New Balance

10. “The marathon is an opportunity for redemption. Opportunity, because the outcome is uncertain. Opportunity, because it is up to you, and only you, to make it happen."

-Dean Karnazes

11. "You can keep going and your legs might hurt for a week, or you can quit and your mind will hurt for a lifetime."

- Mark Allen

Marathon Training Quotes

Below you can find some of the best marathon running quotes. Wondering how to run a marathon, or why even to run one in the first place?

These quotes have the perfect answer for you. With veteran runners like George Sheehan and Usain Bolt featuring on the list, motivational running will become a piece of cake for you. Read on to know how.

12. "You're running on guts. On fumes. Your muscles twitch. You throw up. You're delirious. But you keep running because there's no way out of this hell you're in because there's no way you're not crossing the finish line. It's a misery that non-runners don't understand."

-Martine Costello

13. "Learn to run when feeling the pain: then push harder."

-William Sigei.

14. “You should run your first marathon for the right reasons because you’ll never be the same person again. You must want to do it, not do it because your boss did it or your spouse did it.”

-Bill Wenmark.

15. "Aiming for the marathon is a task of sorts which can include terrific highs and lows."

-Bill Rodgers.

16. “Only after a marathon can I say I have given everything. Because of the enormity of the attempt, the cleansing of the pain, I can sit, even stiff and blistered, and know a kind of peace. “

-Kenny Moore.

17. “In the first half of the race, don’t be an idiot. In the second half, don’t be a wimp!”

-Scott Douglas.

18. “At mile 20, I thought I was dead. At mile 22, I wished I was dead. At mile 24, I knew I was dead. At mile 26.2, I realized I had become too tough to kill.”

-Unknown.*

19. "You have to forget your last marathon before you try another. Your mind can't know what's coming."

-Frank Shorter.

20. “The key to running a good marathon is to not listen to anyone’s advice the last week before the race. That’s when people tend to do stupid things that disrupt all the input and training of the previous months.”

-Don Kardong.

Best Quotes About Running A Marathon

The best thing about running a marathon is the sense of victory and achievement. Or at least, that is what some of the most famous marathon quotes have to say about running. So whether you are looking at these marathon quotes to push yourself or a loved one, you are bound to find inspiration here!

21. “Everything you wanted to know about yourself you can learn in 26.2 miles.”

-Lori Culnane.

22. "The marathon is not really about the marathon, it's about the shared struggle. And it's not only the marathon but the training."

-Bill Buffum.

23. “My goal has always been to slow down as slowly as possible. It’s as simple as that.”

-Frank Shorter.

24. "There is a moment in every race. A moment where you can either quit, fold or say to yourself, 'I can do this.'"

-Gatorade Ad.

25. “If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.”

-Kathrine Switzer.

26. “There are no shortcuts in marathoning, so anyone who is a marathoner has worked hard.”

-Jeffrey Horowitz.

27. "No marathon gets easier later. The halfway point only marks the end of the beginning."

-Joe Henderson.

28 "All you need is the courage to believe in yourself and put one foot in front of the other.”

-Kathrine Switzer.

29. "The marathon never ceases to be a race of joy, a race of wonder."

-Hal Higdon.

30. “To finish will leave you feeling like a champion and positively change your life.”

-Jeff Galloway.

31. "Toeing the starting line of a marathon, regardless of the language you speak, the God you worship or the color of your skin, we all stand as equal. Perhaps the world would be a better place if more people ran."

-Dean Karnazes

32. “Motivation remains key to the marathon: the motivation to begin; the motivation to continue; the motivation never to quit.”

-Hal Higdon.

33. "Like the marathon, life can sometimes be difficult, challenging, and present obstacles, however, if you believe in your dreams and never ever give up, things will turn out for the best."

-Meb Keflezighi.

34. “That day remains very special to me and if I had one day to live over in my lifetime, it would be my first marathon.”

-Dick Traum.

35. “There will be days you don’t think you can run a marathon. There will be a lifetime of knowing you have.”

-Unknown.*

*Do you know where this quote originated? Please email us to let us know at hello@kidadl.com

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly quotes for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for Marathon quotes then why not take a look at [Cross Country quotes], or Steve Prefontaine quotes.

 

Article image credit: Dmytro Stoliarenko / Shutterstock.com

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Written by Devangana Rathore

Bachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy

Devangana Rathore picture

Devangana RathoreBachelor of Arts specializing in English Language, Master of Philosophy

Devangana is a highly accomplished content writer and a deep thinker with a Master's degree in Philosophy from Trinity College, Dublin. With a wealth of experience in copywriting, she has worked with The Career Coach in Dublin and is constantly looking to enhance her skills through online courses from some of the world's leading universities. Devangana has a strong background in computer science and is also an accomplished editor and social media manager. Her leadership skills were honed during her time as the literacy society president and student president at the University of Delhi.

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