Are You Interested in Marathons?

Road-running is estimated to be a $1.4 billion industry in the US today, with over 60 million people interested in one of its variants; jogging, competitive running, and trail running.

Most people take up the sport for its health benefits, others want a reason to leave the house, and the rest might just be following a trend. Whichever way, regular running strengthens bones, improves mood, and keeps you fit. But how did this ancient means of transport turn into a multi-million industry?

History of Road Running

Honestly, the history of road running is quite unclear. But one thing is; our forefathers have been running since they learned how to walk upright. But it wasn’t until two to three decades ago that recreational running really took off.

Competitive running started in 600 BC when the ancient Greeks decided that hosting the Olympic games would be an excellent way to honor their gods. It was a one-day event which saw athletes sprint across an arena.

Later on, the organizers added other sports such as the javelin and discus, which in turn made it a four-day event. That’s how running became a full-blown sport.

Now, there are over 1000 marathons in the US alone, and it costs anywhere between $34 to $123 to participate in a five-kilometer race and marathon, respectively.

Marathon Betting

Despite the rich history, marathon betting remains to be an unpopular punting option. There’s only a handful of bookmakers supporting it, thanks to its extreme nature. And the few who do, offer bets for the first three positions only. Just like any other sport, the underdogs get higher odds compared to the favorites.

Overall, marathon betting is about studying the contestants, coming up with a solid strategy and finesse. You also need a truckload of luck; there’s no telling what can happen in a 42.195-kilometer race.