If u are running a marathon?

Why is marathon running a socially prominent activity?

• I am annoyed with my friends constantly posting pictures and comments of their marathon experience on Facebook. I am happy for these people, since running a marathon isn't easy and definitely a good indicator of one's fitness, but why display your medals on facebook? I am getting so much Marathon-related spam in my feed. Edit, following comment posted in reply to one of the answers below: I  am probably getting annoyed by the fad-ness of it all. First, because  it seems completely arbitrary that marathon-running is something worth  talking about in public, but many other things aren't. I can see  how running can be a stress-relief, like going to the gym. But I can't  remember the last time someone posted their workout duration on  facebook. Similar arguments can be made regarding adventure  sport. People who do those don't usually talk about it except in similar  company. That's my question. Why are marathons disproportionately facebook-worthy? Perhaps they fetch more likes? But again, why?

• Answer:

  Looking back over my wall over the past year, I see that the things that have gained the most likes are also the things that I am most excited and proud of; gaining acceptance to exciting graduate schools, learning some odd new skills , and ... running a half marathon.  Running a marathon, or half in my case, isn't just another workout, but something you train for months to do, and the race itself is a social activity.  I ran with my dad, and the entire way people came out to line the streets and cheer runners on.  It was an exhilarating experience and one that I will never forget.  Completing something you extensively trained for with everyone cheering you on, that sense of accomplishment, that is Facebook worthy.