Grit-passion and grit-perseverance in ultramarathon runners

• Published in: Journal of human sport and exercise 2021-01, Vol.16 (4), p.965-972
• Main Authors: Cousins, Julie Marie, Peterson, Madeline J., Christopher, Andrew N., Francis, Andrea P., Betz, Heather H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: endurance; running; sports performance
• ISSN: 1988-5202; 1988-5202
• DOI: 10.14198/jhse.2021.164.18

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between ultramarathon running, grit-passion, and grit-perseverance. A total of 153 ultramarathon runners (age = 40.5 ± 9.0 years) answered demographic questions and completed a survey measuring subcomponents of grit via Google Forms. Grit was measured with the 12-item Grit Scale consisting of two subscales: consistency of interest (grit-passion) and perseverance of effort (grit-perseverance). The ultramarathon runners were recruited through emails from race directors, Facebook groups, and email invitations from the primary investigator. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson product-moment correlations and a one-way ANOVA. Significance was set to p < .05. There was a positive correlation between number of years running and grit-passion (r = .17, p = .039). On average, participants had spent 14.4 ± 9.8 years running and had competed in ultramarathons for 4.3 ± 3.5 years. A positive correlation was found between the number of kilometres run per week and grit-passion (r = .22, p = .007). Participants, on average, ran 57.9 ± 21.4 kilometres per week. For grit-perseverance, there was a statistically significant difference between the short and medium distance groups of ultramarathon runners when compared to the group of runners completing timed ultramarathon races (p = .002). Failure to complete their last ultramarathon was not significantly associated with grit-passion (p = .37) or grit-perseverance (p = .92).