The World Marathon Majors—Boston, New York, Chicago, Berlin, London, Tokyo, and now Sydney—are bucket-list races for many runners. These events bring together elites chasing records, mid-packers gunning for PRs, and thousands of everyday athletes who just want to cross the finish line. But for those at the back of the pack, race day can look and feel very different from the front.
While every runner faces challenges, back-of-the-pack athletes often deal with barriers that don’t get much attention. These runners show up with just as much grit and determination, but the experience isn’t always as smooth. If you’ve ever found yourself near the cutoff time or supporting someone who has, you know exactly what I mean.
1. Fighting the Clock
Most World Marathon Majors have strict time limits. The streets need to reopen, volunteers need to go home, and race organizers have to wrap things up. While elites and mid-packers rarely think about these limits, back-of-the-pack runners often have them looming overhead the entire race.
The pressure of the sweep bus or course closures can take a mental toll. Instead of focusing on the race experience, some runners find themselves doing mental math at every mile marker, trying to stay ahead of cutoffs.
2. The Loneliness of the Back
At the start, big races feel electric. The streets are lined with cheering crowds, aid stations are buzzing, and the energy is contagious. But by the time the back-of-the-pack runners roll through, things can be a lot quieter.
Spectators head home. Volunteers start packing up. Some aid stations run out of supplies. Running a marathon is hard enough, but doing it with little support makes it even tougher.
3. Course Congestion
While elites and faster runners get the benefit of clear roads, those further back deal with bottlenecks, weaving, and sometimes even walking around race clean-up crews. In big races like New York or Chicago, the crowds can make it hard to settle into a rhythm, especially in the early miles.
This is even more challenging for runners who rely on intervals. Walk breaks are tougher to execute when you’re constantly dodging people or trying not to disrupt someone else's stride.
4. The Mental Battle
It’s easy to assume that slower runners just “get more time to enjoy the course,” but the reality is that it takes a different kind of mental strength to be out there for six, seven, or even eight hours.
Watching the finish line area being dismantled or hearing that medals and race shirts are running low can make someone feel like an afterthought. Some runners push through with a strong sense of purpose, while others wrestle with self-doubt and frustration.
5. The Comparison Trap
Major marathons bring out all kinds of runners. Some have spent years chasing a Boston Qualifier, while others are there to fundraise or check off a personal goal. For back-of-the-pack runners, it can be tough to ignore the comparison game.
Seeing elites finish while you’re still miles from the halfway point or hearing spectators make comments about pace can mess with your confidence. Social media adds another layer, where race recaps often focus on fast times and PRs, making some runners feel like their effort matters less.
Why Back-of-the-Pack Runners Deserve More Respect
If you’ve ever spent hours training for a race, you know that pace doesn’t measure heart. Back-of-the-pack runners are just as dedicated, and often, they’re overcoming unique challenges just to make it to the start line.
Race organizers need to do better by ensuring aid stations are stocked, finish line experiences remain consistent for all, and cutoff times are communicated clearly. Spectators can help by sticking around longer and cheering for everyone, not just the fast ones.
And if you’re a back-of-the-pack runner, know this: your effort, your training, and your finish matter just as much as anyone else's. Running 26.2 miles is an accomplishment no matter how long it takes.
Listen to some hot takes on the Boston Marathon with Stephanie (The Cookie Runner) on the Runner's Roundtable podcast here. Or check out the episode on Chicago here.