Motivational Factors for Running an Ultramarathon as a Recreational Activity

Authors : Serkan Düz, Ayşe Eda Kinaci, Rabia Hürrem Özdurak Sıngın, Burak Tozoğlu

Pages : 706-723

Doi:10.38021/asbid.1555510

View : 135 | Download : 129

Publication Date : 2024-12-28

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Although runners mostly start for health benefits and recreational purposes, there is a shift in the recent years from half-marathon to ultramarathon (UM) running that pushes the physiological and mental limits of human body. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors for motivation of recreational runners competing in the 119 km Cappadocia Ultramarathon Run. Data of 98 endurance runners was collected via The Ultra Marathon Motivation Scale (UMMS) and analyzed according to the independent variables gender, age, marital status, education level, weekly training frequency and running distance. Results of the study showed that the factors that motivate recreational runners, especially those over the age of 45, more likely to run UM are self-esteem, affiliation, personal goal achievement, health orientation, life meaning and competition with oneself. Moreover, it has been understood that the reason that motivates male runners to participate in UM runs more than female runners is the feeling of competition with other runners, and as the education level of runners increases, weight concern is the most effective factor in motivating them. However, it was determined that the runners\\\' marital status, weekly training frequency and running distance did not have any effect on their motivation to participate in UM runs. It can be concluded that the motivation of recreational runners to participate in UM runs differed according to their age, gender and educational status. Since UM running is not considered a single sporting event and has various forms that vary depending on distance or time, it is of great importance to examine the motivational factors in several UM events with different characteristics.
Keywords : Ultramaraton, motivasyon, koşu, rekreasyonel aktivite, cinsiyet