The Impact of Modern Ultramarathons on Shaping the Social Identity of Runners. The Case Study of Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Research Methodology and Characteristics of the Research Sample
3. Empirical Research Results
3.1. Motives for Participating in Ultramarathons Related to the Process of Creating Social Identity
3.2. The Subculture of Ultrarunners in the Process of Creating Social Identity
3.3. The Authenticity of the Experience during a Sports Event in the Process of Building Social Identity
4. Ultramarathons—From Extreme to Mainstream: Discussion
5. Summary and Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Conflicts of Interest
Appendix A
- What motivated you to take part in the Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon?
- Is ultramarathon an opportunity for you to spend time with your friends? What does this mean to you?
- What does the presence of supporters on the route and at the finish line of the ultramarathon mean to you?
- How do your friends perceive your participation in ultramarathon? Do you enjoy their recognition?
- What does rivalry with others mean to you?
- What is the meaning of competition with yourself and the opportunity to test yourself and your own skills?
- What does achieving the goal mean to you?
- Does the opportunity to overcome your own weaknesses by participating in Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon build self-esteem?
- How does long-distance running affect your health?
- Do you think participation in extreme running events is currently fashionable?
- What is the atmosphere like among runners during the ultramarathon?
- Did you meet new people? What does it matter?
- Do your ultra-marathon friends participate in the competition?
- What do you talk about in your free time? Can you find in these conversations the values characteristic of the community of ultramarathoners?
- What significance do the prizes that you can get in ZUK have for you?
- What do you think completing an ultramarathon says about a runner?
- How would you characterize an ultramarathoner? What psychophysical characteristics should have?
- What is the significance of the authenticity of sensations for you and overcoming your own psychophysical barriers in a long-distance winter mountain run?
- Do you think the experience of participating in ultramarathon affects the social identity of ultramarathoners?
- What does exposure to your body to a severe borderline situation mean to you? Where are these limits in your case?
- How important is running in your life in relation to other spheres (e.g., work, family, religion, politics etc.)?
- Do you exchange experiences with other athletes during the ultramarathon? If yes, what does this mean to you?
- –
- clothing adapted to winter weather conditions
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- watertight and windproof long sleeve jacket
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- one pair of gloves (watertight, windproof)
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- hat/buff
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- additional warming long sleeve layer
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- backpack or waist bag containing all the mandatory equipment
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- headlamp with fully charged batteries
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- pair of chemical warmers (packed)
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- water bottle with at least 1 L capacity
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- switched on and charged mobile phone (with roaming) containing emergency and organizer’s numbers
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- ID or valid passport
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- space blanket with a minimum size of 140 × 200 cm
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- whistle
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- red flashing light (attached to a backpack, waist bag, or back clothing item)
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- starting number (attached in a visible place—provided by the organizer)
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- route map—provided by the organizer
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- mini crampons (highly recommended)
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- snowshoes
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- GPS receiver with a route map
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- crampons
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- footwear with spikes
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- footwear with Gore-tex membrane
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- gaiters
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- waterproof and windproof pants
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- trekking poles
- 1.
- The competition is safeguarded by the Karkonosze Mountain Volunteer Ambulance Service rescuers.
- 2.
- The Karkonosze Mountain Volunteer Ambulance Service emergency vehicle with visual or audible warning signals is given absolute priority regardless the direction of travel.
- 3.
- Emergency foot patrol with means of transport is given absolute priority on the route.
- 4.
- For safety reasons, the organizer may change or shorten the route or postpone the competition until the back-up day. The route may be shortened by the organizers together with GOPR rescuers on the day prior to or during the competition.
- 5.
- In the case of extremely unfavorable atmospheric conditions the competition may be cancelled. The run may be cancelled by the organizer in consultation with the Karkonosze GOPR rescuers.
- 6.
- In the case a participant exceeds the time limit set for each refreshment and Officials station, he or she will not be allowed to continue with the race.
- 7.
- Participants withdrawing from the race will have a chance to stay in a shelter. They will be allowed to leave a shelter only under the supervision of a person designated by the organizer. Participants will reach Karpacz city in small groups. Persons suffering from excessive loss of temperature or those who have lost their strength will be ensured overnight accommodation in a shelter.
- 8.
- During the run, participants must pay particular attention to other runners. Weather conditions may be very difficult. A sudden loss of temperature, fog, and snowfall may put the well-being of participants at risk. We kindly ask participants to ensure mutual assistance. If the need arises, please inform the organizer, Officials, or GOPR rescuers staying on the route and in the designated stations, about the problem.
- 9.
- A team consisting of at least two Officials designated by the organizer will follow the last competitor.
- 10.
- A route map provided for each participant will include emergency and organizer’s numbers.
- 11.
- Participants will be informed about any icy areas occurring on the route. These places will be clearly marked and guarded by additional Officials.
- 12.
- Each participant must sign a declaration confirming participation in the run at their own responsibility and risk.
- 13.
- Participants must use district and national roads in a way indicated or imposed by the organizer, Police, or Municipal Guard. They are also obliged to comply with instructions of the organizer, Police, or Municipal Guard.
- 14.
- Participants undertake to be extremely careful when passing asphalt roads and railways and running through asphalt roads as well as to fully comply with warning signs of the organizer and instructions of the Police and the organizer’s security personnel. When running through public roads participants undertake to abide by the Traffic Code.
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Interviews with Contestants of Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathons (KWU) | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Contestant Personal Data | Interview No. 1 | Interview No. 2 | Interview No. 3 | Interview No. 4 | Interview No. 5 | Interview No. 6 | Interview No. 7 | Interview No. 8 | Interview No. 9 | Interview No. 10 | Interview No. 11 | Interview No. 12 |
Name of the contestant | Hanna | Krzysztof | Piotr [1] | Tomasz | Radosław | Piotr [2] | Katarzyna [1] | Karolina | Mateusz | Katarzyna [2] | Agnieszka | Wojciech |
Age | 61 | 34 | 28 | 27 | 41 | 35 | 26 | 32 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 30 |
Sex (F/M) | F | M | M | M | M | M | F | F | M | F | F | M |
Education | Higher | Higher | Higher | Secondary | Higher | Higher | Higher | Higher | Higher | Higher | Higher | Higher |
Occupational status | Professionally active—own company | Professionally active—own company | Unemployed | Professionally active | Professionally active | Professionally active | Professionally active | Professionally active | Professionally active | Professionally active | Professionally active | Professionally active |
Years of training long-distance running | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
Frequency of training (number of times a week) | 2× | 4–5× | 4–5× | 10–12× | 4× | Min. 3× | 6× | 6× | 4–6× | 4× | 4× | 3× |
Number of times they have participated in KWU including this one | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
How they assess their preparation for ultramarathon | On average | On average | On average | Good | Very good | Good | Very good | Very good | Very good | Good | Good | Good |
How often they participate in similar ultramarathons (number of times a year) | 4–5× | 6× | 4–5× | 2–3× | 2–3× | 1–2× | A few times | 3× | 2× | 2× | 5× only in the summer season | 3× |
Are they planning to take part in KWU next year | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Do not know | Do not know | Rather not | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
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Share and Cite
Kazimierczak, M.; Dąbrowska, A.; Adamczewska, K.; Malchrowicz-Mośko, E. The Impact of Modern Ultramarathons on Shaping the Social Identity of Runners. The Case Study of Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010116
Kazimierczak M, Dąbrowska A, Adamczewska K, Malchrowicz-Mośko E. The Impact of Modern Ultramarathons on Shaping the Social Identity of Runners. The Case Study of Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(1):116. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010116
Chicago/Turabian StyleKazimierczak, Marek, Agata Dąbrowska, Katarzyna Adamczewska, and Ewa Malchrowicz-Mośko. 2020. "The Impact of Modern Ultramarathons on Shaping the Social Identity of Runners. The Case Study of Karkonosze Winter Ultramarathon" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 1: 116. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17010116