Age-related motives in mass running events participation

Abstract

To determine the age-related motivations for participating in a half marathon among four age categories of respondents: up to 25 years old (n=238), 26-35 years old (n=228), 36-50 years old (n=69), and 51-70 years old (n=25) was the main goal of the study. A self-constructed questionnaire was used for the study (N=560) during the 6th Poznan Half Marathon (one of the most important running events in Poland). The basis for the development of the author’s questionnaire survey of motives for participation in running events was the division of Freyer and Gross (2002). The research instrument was validated before the examined event (during the 5th Poznan Half Marathon). The main findings of the presented research were strictly connected with the motive to maintain physical condition and health. This motive was important for all the surveyed age groups of runners and reported by 82.1% (460) of the respondents. It was also the most important for the oldest age group: runners aged 51-70 (96% reported this motivation as being the most important). The most significant difference between young and older runners is that young people are more often focused on results, while older people are more focused on contact with other people, with social aspects being more important to them. They also pay more attention to the attractiveness of the city in which they run. But the young think about achieving a sports result, experiencing intense emotions, and achieving recognition in the eyes of others.

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