Hansons Marathon Method is the best-selling performance marathon training program. Competitive running is one of the most popular sports in America, with all-time record highs of 19 million runners finishing a running event in 2013. Since 1990, the number of U.S. race finishers has grown 300%.American marathoning hit all-time highs in 2014. The number of marathons in the U.S. has increased 300% since 2000. The number of marathoners has increased 56% over the same time.