a regular marathon

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a regular marathon" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a standard marathon event, typically a race that is 26.2 miles long. Example: "She trained for months to prepare for a regular marathon, hoping to achieve her personal best time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

"Once you conquer a regular marathon, you're left with a longing for more," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

So, what have I let myself in for and how different will it be to a regular marathon?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The Two Oceans is like a regular marathon – but with nine miles of hills tagged on the end – so I didn't have any similar events to judge it against.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Comrades?" I forget how many times I had that conversation in the run-up to the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town last month – but it happened a lot more than you'd imagine if, like me, you come from a country where completing a regular marathon is seen by most as an end in itself.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Is it for them?" Libby Clark, a resident of the West Village who is a self-proclaimed "big fan" and regular marathon spectator, was unable to book a hotel room near her job on Manhattan's Upper West Side due to marathon-related visitors, she told The Huffington Post in a phone interview.

Huffington Post

When they went home, they laid out a similarly hilly course in 1897 for the Boston Marathon, which became the first regular marathon race in the United States.

The New York Times - Sports

Now there is also a spinoff, "NCIS: Los Angeles," which is drawing about 18.4 million viewers on average this season, and there are regular marathons on USA.

The New York Times - Arts

My own ruination became apparent to me one morning, as dawn was breaking, after an all-night marathon with a regular partner who called himself qatmandu ("qat" is one of eleven admissible "q" words without a "u").

The New Yorker

Mrs May, appearing before the Commons home affairs select committee three days before the event, said: "The London Marathon is obviously a regular event.

BBC

Today, running/walking 5Ks, marathons, ultra marathons, and competing in track and field (e.g., sprinting) are done primarily for exercise and sport but are quasi-parallel to what our ancestors might have had to do on a regular basis simply to ensure their survival.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Rather than winning a beauty contest, building a business is a marathon that requires steady and constant effort, surmounting regular difficulties, and living through emotional peaks and valleys.

TechCrunch

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When contrasting a standard marathon with a more challenging one (e.g. ultramarathon or trail marathon), use "a regular marathon" to clearly define the baseline.

Common error

Avoid using "a regular marathon" when you simply mean "a marathon". The term is most useful when you need to differentiate it from other, less common types of marathon events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a regular marathon" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a sentence or prepositional phrase. Ludwig shows this phrase is often used to distinguish a standard 26.2-mile race from other types of running events, such as ultramarathons or trail runs.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Lifestyle

25%

Sports

25%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a regular marathon" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to denote a standard 26.2-mile marathon, differentiating it from other types of races. Ludwig confirms this phrase is appropriate for use, particularly when contrasting it with ultramarathons or trail runs. It appears primarily in news and lifestyle contexts, maintaining a neutral level of formality. While not overly common, its usage provides clarity when a standard marathon needs to be specified. Consider using synonyms like "a standard marathon" or "a typical marathon" for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a standard marathon

Replaces "regular" with "standard", emphasizing the typical nature of the marathon.

a typical marathon

Substitutes "regular" with "typical", highlighting the common characteristics of the race.

a conventional marathon

Uses "conventional" instead of "regular", suggesting adherence to established norms for marathons.

a normal marathon

Replaces "regular" with "normal", indicating a marathon without unusual features.

a traditional marathon

Implies the marathon follows long-standing customs and practices.

a common marathon

Highlights the widespread occurrence of this type of marathon.

a usual marathon

Indicates that the marathon is of the kind that is most frequently seen or experienced.

an ordinary marathon

Suggests the marathon is not exceptional or different from others.

a run-of-the-mill marathon

Emphasizes the lack of distinction or uniqueness in the marathon event.

a routine marathon

Indicates that the marathon is a part of a regular series of events or activities.

FAQs

What's the difference between "a regular marathon" and an ultramarathon?

A "regular marathon" is typically 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers), while an ultramarathon is any footrace longer than the traditional marathon distance. Ultramarathons can range from 50 kilometers to hundreds of miles.

What are some alternatives to "a regular marathon"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "a standard marathon", "a typical marathon", or "a conventional marathon".

When is it appropriate to use the term "a regular marathon"?

It's appropriate to use "a regular marathon" when you need to differentiate it from other types of races, such as ultramarathons, trail marathons, or shorter distance races like half marathons. This clarifies that you're referring to the standard 26.2-mile race.

Is it grammatically correct to say "a regular marathon"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to say "a regular marathon". Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in written English.