What Age Is Too Young to Enter a Marathon?

Several US marathons require its participants to be at least eighteen years old, according to an analysis of dozens of races. Others set the threshold at sixteen. A few more propose 14 as the cutoff age. While there are no age restrictions for a few races, parental permission is needed.

Which raises the question: What age is too young to compete in a marathon?

The fact that different races have different age requirements shows that this is a valid question without a clear answer.

“Someone can do almost anything,” says Stephen Pribut. “But should you?”

Pribut is a doctor based in Washington, D.C., and an avid runner. He knows about all the reasons against minors running marathons, including:

• The potential for overuse injuries, particularly on a body that’s not done growing.
• The psychological stress associated with such a grueling distance.
• There are risks of nutrition-related problems like eating disorders and calorie deficiencies.
• Heat stress and its effect on minors compared to adults.

If someone wanted to do a marathon at 16—OK. But do I think that should be a new trend? No, I don’t.

The risks triggered a discussion by the International Marathon Medical Directors Association, which released a report in 2001 concluding that the marathon should be an activity only for runners 18 years of age and older.

“It is conceivable that given proper biomechanics and anatomy, a quality progressive training program, and appropriate maturity and cognitive level, a long distance runner can have a positive experience from participating in marathons prior to 18 years of age,” the report stated. “This special individual would be the exception and not the rule.”

Experts in the medical field have come forward to dispute the IMMDA’s findings. Pribut, though, agrees with it–for the most part.