“Why Women Run Marathons” lecture Nov. 19

The Women’s Studies Colloquium presents Dr. Gina Aalgaard Kelly, Nursing and Healthcare Leadership, delivering a lecture on “Why Women Run Marathons” at noon Friday, November 19 in MacLean 167.

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasons involved with why women run marathons from an intergenerational perspective. The research literature is limited with long distance running, specifically a gap remains as to why women run marathons. This study will begin to fill a gap and begin to understand why women run marathons and if there are similarities and differences between them from an intergenerational perspective. The research questions included: 1) Why do “you” run marathons?; 2) Are there intergenerational difference within women’s perceptions for marathon running?; and 3) Is there a relationship of life satisfaction and running life satisfaction for these marathon runners? This study was qualitative and utilized a theoretical Grounded Theory approach. Study findings will be discussed about how life satisfaction was related to the marathon women’s lives and how similar and different perceptions emerged from the data based on participant’s age.

Refreshments will be provided.