Dear Marathon Director,



I am a marathon runner, as well as a Ph.D. Candidate in Exercise and Sport Psychology at Temple
University in Philadelphia.  As a runner in recent years, I have seen the number of marathon races offered
increase, in addition to the overall number of marathon participants.  For my dissertation, I am
researching the adherence of first time marathoners to the sport of marathoning.  My goal is to obtain
surveys from over 1,000 first time marathoners, or newbies, who have completed their initial marathon
within the past year.  My research goals are four fold- to evaluate their marathon motivations, to examine
their intent to run another marathon, to decipher if there are differences in gender responses, and to
determine if there are differences in responses for those who run for a charity versus non-charity runners.

I am asking for your assistance with my data collection.  As a race director, you have a direct connection
to thousands of runners and participants at your marathon.  I have created an online survey in order to
obtain all the information I am researching.  The survey link and quick blurb of the research are listed
below.  In assisting me with my research, I am happy to provide you the results from this study.  These
findings may help with determining why runners do or do not return to a race, what motivates them to
continue marathoning, and could also help shape the way you market or promote your marathon.

         In advance, thank you for any assistance or service you can provide with my research.  I am greatly
appreciative of your help!  If you have any questions or want further information, please do not hesitate to
contact me.



Elizabeth Loughren, MS

Temple University

eloughren@temple.edu



-------------------------------Survey link and information below------------------------------------------



Have you completed your first marathon within the past year?  If yes, tell me about your experience!



I am an Exercise and Sport Psychology Ph.D. student at Temple University, in Philadelphia, and also a
marathon runner.  For my dissertation, I have decided to look at first time marathon runners (newbies),
their motivations for completing a marathon, and their intent to run another marathon.  If you have
completed your first marathon within the past year, I would love to hear about your marathon experience!  
Listed below is the link for the online survey.  The survey will take about 10-15 minutes to complete.


http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=fm_2bP_2bo4AD38v5x3SVTtOtA_3d_3d


If you know of any other first time marathon runners, who ran their debut marathon within the past year,
please pass along the survey information.


In advance, thank you for your insight and happy running!
Elizabeth Loughren

--
Elizabeth Loughren, MS
Instructor
Doctoral Candidate
Department of Kinesiology
130 Pearson Hall
Philadelphia, PA 19122
215.204.8707
eloughren@temple.edu