As thousands of Britons prepare for today’s London Marathon, the event serves as an annual antidote to the bad memories of school PE lessons. New research from Age UK reveals that over four million Brits aged 50 to 65 still feel negatively affected by their school sport experiences, with more than a quarter saying it put them off exercise “for life”.
However, attitudes are changing. A visit to Dorset House School in West Sussex found a delightfully encouraging approach to sport and movement. The all-or-nothing wellness mentality that once dominated social media has also faded, according to cultural researcher Viktoriia Vasileva, who told Dazed that people now recognise much of it as a marketing ploy.
Campaigns like Health at Every Size and This Girl Can have brought exercise to those who felt shamed for not fitting a certain image. Author Bryony Gordon’s multiple marathons in her underwear have helped smash stigma around exercising for appearance rather than well-being. Books such as Alexandra Heminsley’s Running Like a Girl have also inspired many to take up running.
The London Marathon showcases the diversity of runners: blind, in wheelchairs, amputees, and people of all ages, sizes, and backgrounds. Last year, 3,818 runners were over 60, and 40 were over 80. The event highlights that sport is for everyone, regardless of ability or appearance.
Despite brands trying to sell exercise as expensive and aspirational, many people quietly do it their way. The backlash against Nike’s billboards at parkrun locations, which declared “You didn’t come all this way for a walk in the park,” shows that walking is perfectly acceptable. As the new intake of marathon runners prepares to do something extraordinary, the only “type” of runner is one with determination.
