Cardiologist: Marathons Are Hobbies, Not Health Boosters

Lisa Bos · 2026-04-08

Let's talk about something that might surprise you. Running a marathon isn't the ultimate health move we often think it is. That's coming straight from cardiologist Guido Claessen, and it's got people talking. We've all seen those marathon photos on social media. Friends crossing finish lines, looking exhausted but triumphant. We assume they're achieving peak physical health. But what if that assumption is wrong? ### The Cardiologist's Perspective Dr. Claessen makes a clear distinction. He views marathon running primarily as a hobby. It's something you do for personal challenge, for community, or for the sheer love of running. The problem starts when we confuse this intense activity with a direct path to better health. Think about it this way. Training for a 26.2-mile race pushes your body to extreme limits. Your heart, muscles, and joints undergo incredible stress. For some people, especially those without a solid fitness base, this can do more harm than good. It's like deciding to build a house by starting with the roof. You're missing the foundational work. ### What Does Healthy Exercise Really Look Like? So, if running a marathon isn't the golden ticket, what is? Consistent, moderate activity is key. Here's what that actually means for most of us: - Aiming for about 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week - Mixing in strength training a couple times a week - Choosing activities you enjoy and will stick with - Listening to your body and avoiding overtraining "The goal is sustainability," as one fitness expert put it. "It's about what you can do for decades, not just for one race day." That's a powerful shift in thinking. It moves us away from punishing workouts and toward a balanced, lifelong approach to movement. ### Understanding the Risks This isn't to scare anyone away from running. If you love it, that's fantastic. But it's crucial to go in with your eyes open. Pushing too hard, too fast, without proper preparation can lead to: - Overuse injuries like stress fractures - Heart strain in individuals with undiagnosed conditions - Burnout and a complete abandonment of fitness Getting a check-up before starting any intense training program is non-negotiable. A doctor can help you understand your personal risk factors. ### Finding Your "Why" This brings us back to Dr. Claessen's main point. Ask yourself why you want to run a marathon. Is it for health? Or is it for the personal achievement? If it's the latter, that's a perfectly valid and powerful reason. Embrace it as the ambitious hobby it is. Train smart, respect the distance, and celebrate your accomplishment. But if your primary goal is improving your cardiovascular health, there are more efficient and safer ways to get there. A brisk 30-minute walk most days can work wonders without the extreme physical toll. ### The Bottom Line Health isn't found in a single, grueling event. It's built through daily habits. It's in the food choices you make, the sleep you prioritize, and the manageable exercise you weave into your routine. Marathons can be incredible experiences. They test mental fortitude and create lasting memories. Just don't mistake them for a health prescription. See them for what they are: a demanding personal challenge, one that requires careful preparation and a clear understanding of your own motivations. Your heart will thank you for taking a balanced approach. And you might just find that enjoying movement, rather than enduring it, is the real secret to lifelong wellness.