Somewhere along the way, the term "age grouper" became synonymous with "not good enough." In online discussions and even within the running community itself, there's this strange misconception that age groupers are just casual joggers who don’t train hard or take racing seriously. The reality couldn’t be further from the truth.
The Age Grouper vs. Recreational Runner Confusion
A lot of the confusion comes from people not understanding what "age grouper" actually means. Every non-professional runner falls into an age group category. That includes everyone from the weekend warrior doing their first 5K to the sub-elite runner knocking on the door of an Olympic Trials qualifier.
There are age groupers running sub-3:00 marathons, sub-5:00 miles, and placing in the top 1% of major races. Some of the most competitive athletes in the world are masters runners (40+), who are still setting records and dominating their divisions. The only thing "age group" means is that you're competing within a categorized bracket. It says nothing about your ability level.
The Pro vs. Amateur Divide
We live in a world that idolizes professional athletes, and anything outside of that is often dismissed as "less than." But here's the truth: the depth of competition in some age groups, especially in marathon racing, is brutal. There are runners in the 40–49 bracket running faster than many sponsored athletes. The idea that age group racing is easy or unimportant is simply false.
The "Weekend Warrior" Stereotype
Another issue is the assumption that all age groupers are casual runners who train inconsistently. In reality, plenty of age groupers are running 60–100 miles per week, following structured training plans, and putting in just as much work as some professionals. Many are coached, dial in their nutrition, strength train, and race multiple times a year with the goal of landing on the podium.
Social Media Fuels the Misconception
Running culture online has added to the stigma. A lot of influencers and content creators focus only on elite racing, often dismissing the incredible performances happening in the age group ranks. Some sub-elite runners, who are technically still age groupers themselves, act as if anything outside of their performance level is unimpressive. Ironically, some of them would struggle to compete against the top masters athletes in their own age brackets.
The Truth: Age Group Racing Is Where Most of the Competition Is
For 99% of runners, age group competition is the highest level they'll reach, and there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. Some of the fiercest battles in races aren't for the overall podium but within age groups where runners are pushing just as hard for their goals. In many cases, the depth of competition is deeper in age group divisions than in the overall top placements of smaller races.
Instead of looking down on age groupers, the running community should be celebrating them. They are the backbone of the sport. The ones lining up at races week after week, pushing themselves, and proving that running fast isn't reserved for the pros.
If you're an age group runner looking to take your training to the next level, I’d love to help. Whether you're chasing a Boston Qualifier, trying to break a new PR, or just want to train smarter, let’s work together to make it happen.