Public marriage proposals at marathon finish lines have become a somewhat familiar sight, with countless videos capturing the moment a man gets down on one knee just as his partner completes the gruelling 42.195-kilometre race. While these proposals often generate applause and viral attention, they also spark debate about whether they overshadow a woman’s personal achievement.
For many runners, completing a marathon is the result of months of intense training, endurance, and dedication. Critics argue that choosing this moment to propose shifts the focus away from the runner’s accomplishment and onto the person proposing. The argument is that, instead of celebrating the athlete’s endurance and perseverance, the attention is redirected to a romantic gesture that often prioritizes the proposer’s role in the runner’s life.
A recent example that reignited this debate was featured in People magazine. In June 2024, TikTok user Sarah John shared a video of her marathon finish, only to find her boyfriend waiting on one knee. The video, captioned “Started the marathon as a girlfriend, finished it as a fiancé 💍🤍,” quickly went viral, amassing millions of views. When she reposted it this week, it sparked another round of attention—along with criticism. Many online commentators felt that the proposal detracted from her personal milestone, arguing that the moment should have been solely about her accomplishment. Others, however, saw it as a heartfelt and thoughtful gesture, pointing out that John herself appeared overjoyed by the proposal and even considered incorporating elements of her race time into their wedding.
Update from the woman who said no to her man who proposed to her during the LA Marathon.
Fellas: take notice. pic.twitter.com/XDxHB9LkWt
— Hear in LA (@hearinladotcom) March 23, 2025
This phenomenon extends beyond marathons. The tradition of highlighting the contributions of male partners and coaches in women’s sports has a long history. Instances of media outlets focusing on an athlete’s husband or trainer instead of her own achievements have been noted in events such as the Olympics. Similar critiques arose during the 2024 Paris Olympics when a series of public proposals followed medal ceremonies, with some questioning whether the moment was truly about the athlete’s success or the proposer’s desire for attention.
this guy jumped the barrier and proposed to his girlfriend at mile 16 of the nyc marathon
MILE 16 IS NOT THE FINISH
proposals mid race cannot be a thing no no no nopic.twitter.com/tgPhncGxzQ
— Cross Country Probs (@CrossProb) November 6, 2018
The trend of marathon proposals has gained traction over the past decade, with reports and viral moments surfacing regularly since at least 2013. Despite criticism, they continue to happen, sometimes generating backlash but often being embraced by the couples involved. The debate remains: are these proposals a heartfelt celebration of a shared journey, or do they diminish a runner’s personal milestone?
Marathon day is often the culmination of months of rigorous training, dedication, and personal sacrifice. Whether a proposal at the finish line enhances or detracts from that moment remains a divisive topic, highlighting ongoing discussions about gender dynamics in sports and personal achievements.
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