This is a bit extreme, don’t you think? I know plenty of people that smoke, are about double their healthy weight, and, say, play golf, and consider themselves athletic. Yes, that’s rediculous. But you know, what’s the average adult male VO2max? Like 35 or 40 or something. Women’s avg is lower by like 5 to 10 points. If the guy with the 20% body fat and “average” fitness level takes on a new training goal for a 5K, and finishes, he should darn-right be proud of it. It’s moving towards being a healthier person. Heck a half-marathon might as well be like high-jumping to the moon.
Now. Let’s talk about how many years it takes some people to exercise for 18 hours TOTAL. I mean like “I’m going to exercise now”. Some people never do it. Most 9to5ers probably get 18 hours exercise in 18 weeks. A huge number probably.
Anyone that suffers, even slowly by your elitist judgement, for 14 or 16 or 18 STRAIGHT hours to finish an event like this deserves to be really freakin’ proud of it. Top of the pile human performance- no. Top of the pile human determination - yes.
Just because this forum is full of fit, fast, trained people doesn’t mean the other 99.5% of the world agrees with you, or sees things through your special and challenging point of view. I’m sure that guys grandma is proud as can be.