Why men run a greater risk of hitting the marathon wall

Male marathon runners face a significantly higher risk of experiencing a performance collapse, commonly known as "hitting the wall," compared to their female counterparts. A study analyzing data from approximately 873,000 runners in the Berlin Marathon between 1999 and 2025 revealed that men are twice as likely to suffer this fate.

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Men are more risk-prone and don't have the same consequence thinking as women.

The research, published in Nature, indicates that men are more prone to a substantial drop in pace during the latter stages of a marathon. On average, male runners slowed their pace by 18% in the final five kilometers, whereas women's pace decreased by 13%. The study defined "hitting the wall" as a speed reduction of at least 20% in the second half of the race compared to the first.

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I believe men also have a tendency to overestimate their own abilities, while women tend to underestimate them. Demonstrating strength is a stereotype of masculinity that surely plays a role here.

Sports psychologist Andreas Bengtsson suggests that biological factors and psychological tendencies contribute to this disparity. "Men are more risk-prone and don't have the same consequence thinking as women," Bengtsson explained, drawing parallels to higher accident rates among young men. He also believes men tend to overestimate their abilities, while women may underestimate theirs, potentially influenced by societal expectations of masculinity.

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Generally, when running a marathon, it's very easy to get carried away and go out at too high a tempo. It is incredibly important to have patience, have a strategy, and stick to it.

To avoid "hitting the wall," Bengtsson advises marathon runners to exercise patience and adhere to a well-defined strategy, warning against getting carried away by a fast start. He also encourages runners not to view walking or resting breaks negatively, suggesting they can be strategic choices to conserve energy. Ultimately, he recommends enjoying the experience, framing the marathon as a celebration rather than solely a test of endurance.

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It is better to enjoy running than to push yourself too hard; try to see the day as a celebration.