This page contains inspirational quotes and thoughts for runners. The list was started when a runner asked her club to send her motivational quotes and ideas to help her conquer her first marathon in NYC (so many of the quotes refer to running that race).
You’ve got to be pretty mentally tough to be a runner, but a sense of humor is nearly as important!
Marathon Motivational Quotes
“Running takes balls. Other sports just play with them.”
— From Playmate
“The miracle isn’t that I finished; it’s that I had the courage to start.”
John Bingham, The Penquin
“Just remember: right, left, right, left….repeat.”
Jordan F — From Nessie
“Believe deep down in your heart that you’re destined to do great things.”
Joe Paterno — From Smarty
It’s not the size of the dog in the fight…it’s the size of the fight in the dog.
— From Playmate
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.”
T.S. Eliot — From Vince
“I tell our runners to divide the race into thirds. Run the first part with your head, the middle part
with your personality, and the last part with your heart.”
— From Playmate
In the midst of winter, I found there was within me an invincible summer.
— From Playmate
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
— From Playmate
“Pain is temporary; Pride lasts forever.” I saw that sign at mile 15 while I was running my
first marathon and it inspired me the rest of the run.
Dar — From The General
“The fastest way to the finish is running.” I told myself this at miles 23 and 24 of my first marathon
when I wanted to walk.
Dar — From The General
“… run with patience the race that is set before us …”
Heb. 12:1-3 — From Sammy
“There is nothing to be intimidated about – it’s just another long run where a few more people
show up and they happen to wear numbers.”
Wesley Stafford — From Olab
“When I want to quit (or just walk) I always ask myself: ‘What am I made of?’
I don’t think I ever really answer the question, but I am always able to push through with a little extra power.”
Stephanie C. — From Stephanie
“Those who say it can’t be done should not interrupt the ones doing it”
— From Carol Ann
“Success isn’t how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.”
— From Pokey
During your pains and efforts and belabored breaths, remember the pains and belabored breaths of the
dying who, at this very second, fight for every last second of life. Then suddenly, the real reason
for the race gives you strength.
— From Playmate
Even Mt. Everest was defeated on step at a time.
— From Playmate
“In running, it doesn’t matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last.
You can say ‘I have finished.’ There is a lot of satisfaction in that.”
— From Pokey
“We are different, in essence, from other men. If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want
to experience something, run a marathon.”
Emil Zatopek — From Pokey
“When I think I can’t do it any more I reach out to “GOD” and ask Him to help me take another step or to
help me to just keep moving.”
Richard Szymanski — From Sit Down
“Take advantage of slapping hands with people/kids when you’re struggling- another thing that gets me moving
when struggling. And most of all- JUST HAVE FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!”
Lori Culnane — From Loco
“Channel your inner Kenyan!”
Inspired by Sammy — From Shaggy
“You are trained, you can absolutely do this – take it all in, and always, always have FUN”
Tricia Szymanski — From Screech
“To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the Gift.”
Steve Prefontaine — From Tony
“You will do great! Enjoy!”
— From Crazy Train
“Best wishes for a great marathon. Be sure to savor it. The first marathon is something special. Run long and healthy.”
Personal email from Amby Burfoot — From Fair Weather
“The hills are our friends!”
— From Patch
“Work like you don’t need money, Love like you’ve never been hurt, and Dance like no one’s watching”
and Run like your friends are there with you cheering you on all the way.>
Scott Hodukavich — From Shaggy
“Everything you ever wanted to know about yourself you can learn in 26.2 miles.”
Lori Culnane — From Loco
“It’s all about the medal!”
Anonymous Rebel Runner
Just keep moving, enjoy the surroundings and the excitement and you’ll do great! NYC is gonna be a blast!
Scott Hodukavich — From Shaggy
“The pride in finishing a marathon is much greater than all the pain endured during the marathon.”
Hal Higdon — From Nessie
“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge,
but rather a lack in will.”
Vince Lombardi — From Maggie
Success is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
— From Sammy
As you pass through some of the more interesting parts of town, get in the spirit and try to
“Run Like You Stole Something!”
— From Shaggy
More Motivational Quotes for Runners:
Here’s one I saw on a T-shirt (ironically of someone who was walking):
“If you can’t run with the big dogs, stay on the porch!”
“If God invented the marathon to keep people from doing anything more stupid, the triathlon must have taken Him completely by surprise.”
Pokey
“How does a kid from Coos Bay, with one leg longer than the other win races? All my life people have been telling me, ‘You’re too small Pre’, ‘You’re not fast enough Pre’, ‘Give up your foolish dream Steve’. But they forgot something, I HAVE TO WIN.”
Steve Prefontaine — From Ryder
“It’s not how far you go, but what happens along the way. Even though you want to give up, you must find the will to finish the race.”
Selena
“Here’s how you run a marathon.
Step 1: You start running.
Step 2: There is no step 2.”
Pokey
“The best pace is a suicide pace, and today is a good day to die.”
Steve Prefontaine — From Ryder
“There is no glory in practice, but without practice, there is no glory.”
Maggie — HS cross Country Runner
“Tell me that I can’t do it. Tell me that I shouldn’t even try. Tell me that’s it’s impossible. Tell me the risk is too high, the challenge too much, or the feat too tough. Tell me that I won’t do it…And I will!”
Sayiwont clothing — From Jade Huffmam
“Running isn’t about winning or losing, it’s neither about glory or achievement, it’s all about not quitting.”
Ben Vachon — From Benoit
“To me, the real test of one’s character isn’t defined by completing the marathon on race day, but rather
by having the self-discipline and dedication to commit, sacrifice, and endure the months of training required
to complete such an event.”
Kimberly Pasienza>
“If your going through hell, just keep going!”
William
“Every morning a gazelle wakes up knowing that it must run faster than the cheetah to stay alive. Every
morning a cheetah wakes up knowing it must out run the slowest gazelle to stay alive. It doesnt matter if
you’re the cheetah or the gazelle when the sun comes up you better be running.”
Austin – Alto, MI
Submit a Quote
If you have a favorite motivational quote for runners, send it and I’ll be happy to post and give you credit! Inspire fellow athletes with words of wisdom.
Run Safely!