marathon race

USAGE SUMMARY

"marathon race" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe a race that is a very long distance, usually over 26 miles. For example, "Sara completed her first marathon race last weekend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

Even in recreational marathoners, no differences in elite marathon race times of runners aged from 20 to 55 years were found [ 6, 15].

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

It would be interesting to study the relationship between marathon race and age in a larger set of marathoners.

BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation

Just go in and do a marathon, race it hard".

Independent

This tale became the basis for the modern marathon race.

Encyclopedia Britannica

In 1972 the Boston Marathon became the first marathon race officially to admit women runners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We consider that we're on a marathon race," Mr. Archibald told state lawmakers last month.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Congratulations on your achievement [Fiennes became the oldest Briton ever to complete the Marathon des Sables ultra-marathon race in the Sahara last Friday].

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Boy Scouts, half-marathon race, T.E.A.L. [Tell Every Amazing Lady, the ovarian cancer group].

The New York Times

Except for two marathon participants, none of the subjects had previous full- or half-marathon race experience.

Sports Medicine - Open

Fig 1 Individual changes in mediators of inflammation in recreational athletes after running either a marathon or half-marathon race.

Sports Medicine - Open

The purpose of this study was to investigate the athlete's perception of stress and recovery states following a 24 h ultra-marathon race.

Psychology of Sport and Exercise

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "marathon race", ensure the context clearly indicates a competitive running event, rather than a metaphorical long-term effort.

Common error

Avoid using "marathon race" in contexts where "marathon" alone suffices. The word "marathon" already implies a race, so adding "race" can be redundant. For example, say "She completed the marathon" instead of "She completed the marathon race".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "marathon race" functions primarily as a noun phrase, identifying a specific type of running event characterized by its long distance. It clearly names an event, and Ludwig AI confirms that the term is usable and easily found across different types of sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

37%

Science

33%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "marathon race" is a grammatically correct and commonly used term to describe a long-distance running event. While some might consider it slightly redundant since "marathon" inherently implies a race, Ludwig confirms its widespread usability. It appears frequently in various contexts, including news, scientific research, and encyclopedias. The phrase is generally neutral in tone, making it appropriate for diverse audiences. When writing, be mindful of potential redundancy and consider using "marathon" alone where contextually clear. Alternatives like "marathon run" or "long-distance race" can also be used for variety.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

marathon run

Changes "race" to "run", a synonym, emphasizing the act of running the marathon.

marathon competition

Substitutes "race" with "competition", highlighting the competitive aspect.

marathon contest

Replaces "race" with "contest", highlighting the competitive aspect.

long-distance race

Replaces "marathon" with a general term for a race of considerable length.

26.2-mile race

Specifies the distance of a standard marathon, offering a more precise description.

road marathon

Specifies that the marathon takes place on a road.

endurance race

Focuses on the aspect of endurance required to complete a marathon.

marathon challenge

Focuses on the challenging nature of the marathon.

marathon event

Generalizes the term to an "event", encompassing the broader context of a marathon.

long-distance running event

Combines the ideas of long distance and an organized running event.

FAQs

What is the origin of the term "marathon race"?

The term "marathon race" originates from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger who ran from the Battle of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory. This historical event inspired the creation of the modern marathon race.

Is "marathon race" grammatically correct?

Yes, "marathon race" is grammatically correct, though some consider it slightly redundant since a marathon is inherently a race. Ludwig AI confirms its usability.

What are some alternative ways to say "marathon race"?

You can use alternatives like "marathon run", "long-distance race", or simply "marathon" depending on the context. Other options include "marathon competition" or "endurance race".

In what contexts is the term "marathon race" commonly used?

The term "marathon race" is frequently used in news reports, sports commentary, scientific research, and historical accounts related to the sport of marathon running. This phrase is quite versatile and you can use it in various types of writing.