You Can Run a Marathon Without Training

Question

Running a marathon is an incredible feat, and one that many of us will likely never do because of the strain and the months of training required. However, this claim introduces the idea of skipping all that hard work and hoping right into the race. While it is possible to run a marathon without training, the real question is whether you should. And according to professionals, the answer is a strong absolutely not.

In an article from the Marathon Handbook, Running Coach Amber Sayer references concerning videos about running a marathon with no training and the interest that has sprouted from them. She explains how challenging a marathon can be without the recommended several months of raining, and the greater issues. She claims novice runners can put stress on their kidneys, provoke muscle tissue, and are at risk of running-induced injuries (knee pain and stress fractures).

Sayer recommends beginners run for 6 months to a year before even starting marathon training. She also invites runners to do a half-marathon before starting to train for the full thing. While it’s possible to run a marathon without any training, it’s not recommended. If you really want to run a marathon, it seems best thing to do is throw those running shorts on and turn on the treadmill.

Answer 1

While this claim is technically true, that yes people can run a marathon without training it is very risky and often isn’t recommended. Without the proper training, typically people’s bodies aren't built to run 26.2 miles with no preparation. It would be expected to experience muscle tears, dehydration, heart stress and many other serious injuries. Many experts emphasize the importance of proper training and preparation not just for physical endurance but also for proper pacing, and just being able to hydrate and fuel yourself correctly. As an example, Billy Bosco in the Austin Fit Magazine ran a marathon with no training. He explained that although he did finish the race, the experience for him was painful and he ended up limping in the end of the race. He emphasized that “Each step sent a sharp pain through [his] body, then [his] muscles shook or stiffened uncontrollably. [His] body failed [him] [he] limped [his] way through the finish line with a final time of 4:50. The only thing [He] wanted to do was collapse into a hot tub and never run again” (Bosco). This is probably not the smartest idea, but it definitely is possible. Typically running a marathon requires lots of preparation and it can take months and months of it. Typically runners will train nonstop for 12-20 weeks, and it's often recommended that runners are comfortable running around 20-30 miles a week before the training period starts (Firth). It's not really possible to simply just wing 26.2 miles of running. Even if a person does make it to the finish line, the physical toll it takes can be horrible, and the recovery process can be just as difficult as the race itself.Although it is technically possible to run a marathon without training, Bosco's experience shows that this is not recommended at all, and the physical strain is probably not worth the feeling of that achievement.

Bosco, Billy. “My Experience Running a Marathon without Training: Austin Fit Magazine – Inspiring Austin Residents to Be Fit, Healthy, and Active.” Austin Fit Magazine, 3 Jan. 2023, www.austinfitmagazine.com/my-experience-running-a-marathon-without-training/. 

Firth, Becky Wade, and Yitka Winn. “Training for a Marathon: How to Prepare: Rei Co-Op.” REI, REI, 10 June 2024, www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/training-for-your-first-marathon.html.

Comments

Please provide source URL links for when fact-checking. Thanks!

Answer 2

After tracing this claim back to its original evidence, I found that while it is technically possible for someone to run a marathon without training, sports medicine and medical research strongly warn against it because of the physical harm it can cause. The primary sources behind this claim come from medical institutions rather than just running blogs: the Cleveland Clinic (https://health.clevelandclinic.org) reports cases of rhabdomyolysis and kidney stress in untrained endurance runners; the Mayo Clinic (https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/fitness) explains that bone and connective tissue need months of progressive conditioning to withstand marathon-level strain; and the American Sports of College Medicine (https://www.acsm.org) outlines guidelines recommending gradual training to prevent muscle breakdown and cardiovascular overload. As a secondary source, the Marathon Handbook (https://marathonhandbook.com/running-a-marathon-without-training/) summarizes these medical risks from a coaching perspective, but it is still relying on the primary sports-physiology studies above. The coaching source has a bias toward athlete safety and long-term performance, while the medical institutions have a bias toward injury prevention and reducing ER/acute care incidents, which means all sources lean that is a big risk about it. The strongest evidence supporting the warning against untrained marathons is the documented kidney impairment, muscle breakdown, and injury rates in untrained runners in these medical studies; the only “evidence” that undermines the warning was a social media posts of people “just finishing” a race, which do not include medical follow-up or data. Overall, the original research shows that this trend is not just difficult but it carries measurable medical risks that trained athletes are far better conditioned to handle.

Answer 3

This claim is misleading,

The title of the claim states “you can run a marathon without training” which convinces the reader the claim will be about the evidence behind how you are able to run a marathon without training. Except the claim uses its primary source to explain how you could technically run a marathon without proper training but it is not recommended and advised against. This is misleading since the title of the fact check is supporting that people can run a marathon without training but the primary source used (Marathon Handbook) is actually advising against that and portraying the risks of taking such actions. The primary source used also seems to be mostly creditable. While Marathon Handbook is not peer reviewed it is written by profesional running coaches. The primary source Marathon Handbook does prove that the original claim is misleading because its overall message is that running a marathon without training is a very bad idea with the title of the article even being: Running a Marathon Without Training: ALL The Reasons It’s a Bad Idea. To further prove that this claim is misleading the study Full Marathon Related Race Injuries: A 3 Year Review proves that one of the leading causes for race day inquires during marathons is lack of predation and training. Overall the claim that “you can run a marathon without training” is misleading because even though it is in anyone’s ability to attend a marathon without training it is a very bad idea and the primary source used for the claim advises people against doing so.

Comments

Always provide sourcle links for your fact-checks. Thanks!

Answer 4

Although running a marathon without training is technically possible, this message can be misleading and potentially dangerous. While some already fit individuals may manage to finish a marathon without training, significant health risks and a high likelihood of injury or medical complications are involved for most people. Health experts strongly warn against running a marathon untrained, as a CU Anschutz Department of Medicine article explains that marathon running stresses the heart, lungs, metabolism, and hormones for hours at a time, requiring proper conditioning to prevent dangerous fatigue, dehydration, or heart strain (Shaw, 2025). Another reputable source, FootActive UK, notes that lack of preparation greatly raises the risk of injuries like plantar fasciitis, runner's knee, and shin splints. They state that running a marathon untrained is "not something that any athlete, running-enthusiast, or fitness coach would ever recommend doing" *FootActivel 2022). Claims in favor of untrained marathons can often be traced to social media stories, where influencers want to promote this challenge to make marathon running look spontaneous and easy. However, these influencers are misleading, as they often already have high fitness levels. To conclude, it is physically possible for a minority of people to finish a marathon untrained. However, the typical person faces serious health risks, and the most reputable experts and running organizations emphasize structured training for safety and enjoyment.

Sources:

https://fr.footactive.co.uk/blog/the-pitfalls-of-running-a-marathon-without-training

https://news.cuanschutz.edu/department-of-medicine/marathon-run-impact-body-health

Answer 5

The claim that you can run a marathon without training is misleading. On their website, the OC Marathon, an organization that hosts running events (including marathons), states that, while possible, there are many “potential dangers and health risks” of running a marathon without training. This includes risks of: muscle strain, dehydration, exhaustion, and injury. Running a marathon requires “physical and mental stamina, endurance, and strength”. Without proper preparation, there’s a higher likelihood of participants over-stressing their bodies. Strong endurance, cardiovascular fitness, and general physical fitness are all recommended in order to run a marathon. Overall, it is possible to run a marathon without training, but doing so is strongly advised against because the chances of injury are much higher.

https://ocmarathon.com/can-you-run-a-marathon-without-training-2/

Answer 6

While it is technically possible, an individual can run a marathon with no training, it actually is extremely unsafe, and the article “Running a Marathon Without Training: ALL The Reasons It’s a Bad Idea” from Marathon Handbook explains how the risk far outweighs the reward. A marathon, being 26.2 miles, is a strenuous activity on your body with training; therefore, with no training, your body is not prepared, leading to severe physical strain, muscle damage, and can even cause long-term joint injuries. Training for a marathon is about gradually building endurance and listening to your body to safely and complete the race. Therefore, the article emphasizes that not training not only negatively impacts one's health but also undermines the sense of accomplishment and the road of self-work it takes to complete a marathon and the experience in total. 

https://marathonhandbook.com/running-a-marathon-without-training/

Answer 7

The source "Running a Marathon Without Training: ALL the Reasons it's a Bad Idea" is coming from Amber Sayer, a certified running coach. She talks about the dangers of running a marathon with no training and how this is scarily normalized as there can be many dangerous health concerns with attempting this. She provides a real life example of the Wade Twins who filmed themselves do this on TikTok for their followers and how their result of having a 3:30 hour marathon was a little misleading from having zero experience. She does not provide direct quotes or information from other sources but does have references at the bottom of the page. Clicking on the top link, it does back up her previous statement on " studies have found1 that marathon running may increase the risk of myocardial fibrosis." This article dives deeper into the real life potential of getting myocardial fibrosis and shows that Amber is knowledgeable. Amber is using credible information and seems to be experienced within fitness and running. Searching up Amber Sayer, she seems very credible and has much experience in the fitness industry. Muck Rack mentions her as "Amber Sayer is a Fitness, Nutrition, Health, and Wellness writer and editor, and contributes to several publications, including The Manual, Women's Running, and Byrdie. She holds two Masters Degrees—one in Exercise Science and one in Prosthetics and Orthotics. As a certified personal trainer and running coach for 15 years, Amber enjoys staying active and helping others do so as well." This makes me feel as though Amber knows what she is talking about. I don't feel as though there is any bias, she seems to be looking out for people who may attempt this and possibly get injured. Overall, the claim "You can run a Marathon Without Training" is true, although you would be greatly advised not to. It wouldn't be a very smart decision and could even be dangerous but it is still possible. 

https://marathonhandbook.com/running-a-marathon-without-training/

https://muckrack.com/amber-sayer

https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.01280.2010

Answer 8

The main article about this claim comes from Marathon handbook, written by Amber Sayer, a certified running coach with a masters degree in Exercise Science and Prosthetics & Orthotics. The site focuses on running and training advice, so it's pretty credible for fitness information. Sayers does make money from affiliated links but it doesn't seem to affect the reliability. A few outside outlets that back up her claim are, Runner's World. They reported that most marathon runners show temporary kidney stress after a race. TIME wrote about how marathons can cause short-term organ strain.Both of these sources agree that trying to run a marathon without training can be risky and even dangerous. The Marathon handbook article links to actual research including studies in frontiers in physiology and the Journal of Applied Physiology. Both of these tell us that long distance running puts serious stress on the body even if we don't necessarily feel it. Finally you technically can run a marathon without training but you really shouldn't. Multiple sources and people say that doing so can lead to injuries, muscle breakdown, or kidney problems. It's recommended to run for at least six months to a year before starting a marathon, so I would say this claim is misleading, it's physically possible but not safe.

Answer 9

While this claim is technically true, it is not wise and strongly advised against. Doing a marathon without training can lead to numerous health problems ,such as high rates of injury, stress fractures, muscle strains, and so much more. This information comes from an article on Run powered by Outside, a website that is fully dedicated to all things active that was founded by a D1 athlete from Penn State. After checking out this website and multiple other sources of health news outlets, it is clear that this claim is misleading, while not technically incorrect. 

https://run.outsideonline.com/general/run-powered-by-outside/ 

https://ocmarathon.com/can-you-run-a-marathon-without-training-2/ 

Answer 10

I agree with this statement to a certain extent, leading me to believe that it is a little misleading. A marathon, stemming from a greek legend in 450 BC that a messenger by the name of Pheidippides, ran from Marathon, to Sparta(150miles) then to Athens(26 miles) to announce the victory, the according to some sources, dying right then and there due to exhaustion. While a marathon Is not 150 miles and this is not 450 BC, it is important to realize that a marathon is a great feat and can lead to serious injury if not properly prepared. Your body can only handle so much and if the average Joe goes out and runs 26.2 miles after sitting on the couch for the last few months, this could lead to things like stress fractures to your bones, tendonitis, risk of heat stroke, extreme and severe exhaustion and serious cardiac problems. Not to mention, 26.2 miles is much longer than people believe, this will take people 3-10 hours on average.  The point of training is getting better but also about callousing your body, preparing it for the future. Think about it like getting a pet fish, when you get it from petco, it is in a little bag and you have to acclimatize the fish by adding colder water every x amount of minutes. If you fail to do so, the fish dies. I am not saying you would die if you ran a marathon without training, but serious injuries could occur, leading me to believe this claim is Exaggerated or misleading.   

Sources: https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a20836761/the-real-pheidippides-story/

- https://run.outsideonline.com/training/are-we-right-to-judge-people-who-run-a-marathon-with-no-training/