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The Impact of Modern Ultramarathons on Shaping the Social Identity of Runners. The Case Study of Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon

Author

Listed:
  • Marek Kazimierczak

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Poznan University of Physical Education, Krolowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznan, Poland)

  • Agata Dąbrowska

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Poznan University of Physical Education, Krolowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznan, Poland)

  • Katarzyna Adamczewska

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Poznan University of Physical Education, Krolowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznan, Poland)

  • Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko

    (Faculty of Sport Sciences, Poznan University of Physical Education, Krolowej Jadwigi 27/39, 61-871 Poznan, Poland)

Abstract

Despite the growing interest in extreme sports around the world, researchers have rarely investigated the complex factors that have led to a developed commitment to extreme sports in recent years. Precisely, the social identity of ultramarathoners remains a research niche. The aim of the article is to analyze the impact of a sports event on shaping social identity of ultramarathon runners on the example of Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon (held in Poland). The qualitative method used in the article—interviews with runners—made it possible to examine the factors that create social identity, among which the motives for participation, sports subculture, and the authenticity of the experience play a key role. The first part of the article describes the theoretical aspects of social identity in sport. The second, empirical part presents the research results supplemented by the statements of the contestants. In this case, the subject of analysis is the motives for participation in a winter ultramarathon and their characteristics. Lastly, the article analyzes the subculture of ultramarathoners and the experience of contestants’ authenticity. The investigated winter ultramarathon created the perfect space for creation, deepening and celebrating the social identity of ultramarathoners assessed as a value in itself. The article enriches the present knowledge about the motivation of ultramarathoners because, unlike the results of quantitative research, it presents in-depth responses of runners who were not always concerned by existing research questionnaires.

Suggested Citation

  • Marek Kazimierczak & Agata Dąbrowska & Katarzyna Adamczewska & Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko, 2019. "The Impact of Modern Ultramarathons on Shaping the Social Identity of Runners. The Case Study of Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-15, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2019:i:1:p:116-:d:300987
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko & Joanna Poczta, 2018. "A Small-Scale Event and a Big Impact—Is This Relationship Possible in the World of Sport? The Meaning of Heritage Sporting Events for Sustainable Development of Tourism—Experiences from Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Pantelis T. Nikolaidis & Aïna Chalabaev & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle, 2019. "Motivation in the Athens Classic Marathon: The Role of Sex, Age, and Performance Level in Greek Recreational Marathon Runners," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-9, July.
    3. Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko & Maciej Młodzik & Patxi León-Guereño & Katarzyna Adamczewska, 2019. "Male and Female Motivations for Participating in a Mass Cycling Race for Amateurs. The Skoda Bike Challenge Case Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(23), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko & Joanna Poczta, 2018. "Running as a Form of Therapy Socio-Psychological Functions of Mass Running Events for Men and Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(10), pages 1-15, October.
    5. Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko & Zuzana Botiková & Joanna Poczta, 2019. "“Because We Don’t Want to Run in Smog”: Problems with the Sustainable Management of Sport Event Tourism in Protected Areas (A Case Study of National Parks in Poland and Slovakia)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-20, January.
    6. Patrycjusz Zarębski & Grzegorz Kwiatkowski & Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko & Ove Oklevik, 2019. "Tourism Investment Gaps in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(22), pages 1-19, November.
    7. Pantelis T. Nikolaidis & José Ramón Alvero-Cruz & Elias Villiger & Thomas Rosemann & Beat Knechtle, 2019. "The Age-Related Performance Decline in Marathon Running: The Paradigm of the Berlin Marathon," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-12, June.
    8. Frick, Bernd, 2011. "Gender differences in competitiveness: Empirical evidence from professional distance running," Labour Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(3), pages 389-398, June.
    9. Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko & Joanna Poczta & Katarzyna Adamczewska, 2019. "The Potential of Non-Mega Sporting Events for the Promotion of Physical Activity Among Inactive Supporters at the Poznan Half Marathon: A Case Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-12, October.
    10. Joanna Poczta & Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko, 2018. "Modern Running Events in Sustainable Development—More than Just Taking Care of Health and Physical Condition (Poznan Half Marathon Case Study)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-14, June.
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