Friends husband running the marathon tomorrow but she’s not going to watch him

I don't think so, I think she's the 'friend'.

@ML5

Of course someone's partner doesn't need to be there at a 26 mile run. You can't see them. 🙄

Are you the 'friend,' or the husband?

I think YABU, I watched ExH do some but also missed some and I doubt I’d go watch if current DH did another. I don’t really see it as a “massive achievement” as a PP said. I get it’s hard work but in general (unless it’s for a personal charity cause) it’s something the individual wants to do / their hobby.

On that basis - I don’t feel the need to watch a partner do a hobby - especially when you have so much standing around and only see them for a few seconds.

I get I might be unreasonable though as I don’t get why anyone watches any sporting event - I get doing them but not watching them.

I can think of a million things I'd rather do than watch running. My DH wouldn't even think of asking me. It's really entitled to think family or friends want to stand watching people running. If you want me to watch you then atleast put on a performance like dance, act, sing.
@ML5 Is this when you are going to justify having an affair with your friend's DH because she's not very supportive as wife?

Having watched my DH run the London Marathon a few times it’s really hard work watching them. I don’t blame them for not watching them during the race. Are they meeting them afterwards though as they might need some help after running 26.2 miles. On race day you can spot those who ran a mile off due to the pained look on their face and their inability to walk normally.

Depends if this is his first ever (and likely only) marathon. Or has he run several marathons, half-marathons, 10k etc?

Anyone who thinks it’s fun being a single parent when partner is absent for hours and hours training is deluded. It’s a very selfish hobby if you have dc.

I’d be bored stiff watching the marathon and pissed off with all the crowds etc. I’d be verbally supportive but would have no interest in travelling to London to watch any of it.

YABU for thinking it’s any of your business.

None of your business. I'd be bored out of my mind watching other people run.

Yep, standing around to see someone pass you for 5 seconds is not my idea of fun . Sorry . I could be persuaded to be there at the end to meet him at a big push.

Ha? Yes. Anyone who thinks they'll get close enough to see their partner cross the finish line at the London Marathon is in for a huge disappointment. It took nearly 15 minutes after he'd finished to even be able to find my friend to say well done.

can i ask why has it bothered you so much that she isn’t going? why is it that deep? it’s none of your business really. it seems like you’re being judgmental of her decision not to go for some odd reason. mind your own business

As a runner I wouldn’t expect DH to come and watch me. Though he did come to my one and only marathon. We stayed the night before at his Aunts house that was a ten min walk from the start line. He walked down with me to see me off, then went back to the house and tracked me from there so he could walk back to see me finish.

I certainly wouldn’t have expected him to stand around for nearly six hours which is about how long it took me. If it’s a big city marathon like London it must be a bit of a nightmare finding where you need to be anyway.

Personally I actually quite enjoy watching DP run marathons. I like checking the tracker and then hopping on transport to travel around the city to see him at multiple points. Granted I’ve done it with other friends and family and not with kids in tow! But it’s always been quite a fun experience for me. I like the atmosphere and feel very proud of him 🥇 we don’t have children yet though, so I’m sure that might change things in future.

It's an achievement the runners, not their family has chosen. No one made them do it. It's a hobby.

I can't imagine anything more boring than watching the London Marathon (or any marathon). I am with the wife. He wants to do it - fine, but I don't need to watch him (assuming I could pick him out) unless, of course it involves a pub and lots of ale - then I might.

I find runners extremely boring to anyone apart from other runners. I totally understand why she wouldn't want to go and stand around for hours to perhaps see him for a second.

After spending half a dozen boring days watching thousands of strangers running past me in a blur, just so I could catch a glimpse of my (now ex!) H run by, I did the same and stayed home.

It is incredibly dull. Your friend obviously feels the same. I don’t blame her at all.

If he doesn’t care then good for her. I would go but I would begrudge going in secret, watching organised running is not for me. Although I appreciate the charitable funds raised.

If it was me, I’d follow the tracker and try to catch him a few times along the way and see him over the finish line. However I know plenty of partners that aren’t interested in their partners sporting/fitness stuff as they resent the fact it takes over their lives

Mine runs ultra marathons along with various other shorter ones, I go to a couple a year, I’m delighted he loves it but I have better things to do!
I will add he runs with other people so he’s not completely alone.

Jesus you sound nauseating.

Honestly she’s probably supported him plenty, training for a marathon is a big commitment and when DH used to run guess who picked up the slack. I used to go watch races but quite frankly it’s a long day, you see them for seconds if lucky. It’s a massive achievement but that doesnt mean someone should be standing around all day just to say well done.

out of interest, why are you bothered?

It depends on why and if he wants her there / how much it means to have her there to him.

I would hate to sit alone for ages whilst my husband ran a marathon. Also it would feel like a waste of a day off , as I work full time. But, if he wanted me to go then I would to support him .