HEALTH OR RIVALRY - MOTIVATION BEHIND AMATEUR PARTICIPATION IN LONG DISTANCE RUNNING EVENTS IN POLAND AND THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The aim of the study is to determine motivation of runners from Poland and the Czech Republic in the context of their participation in running competitions. In this study, correlations between age, experience, training period and motives for participation in the competition by comparing the cross-country runners from both countries was researched. The study examined the place of health in the structure of motives. The study involved 847 runners from Poland and 118 from the Czech Republic. The method of a diagnostic survey was carried out using questionnaires. Competition with ourselves, overcoming our own limits, and improving physical fitness are the main motives of runners who participate in running events. Motives related to health are placed in subsequent positions. Polish runners are more sport goal-oriented; this may result from the fact that in the Czech Republic recreational sport is more grounded in culture. Running events are an important element of cross-country passion, since up to nearly 45% of runners from the Czech Republic and more than half from Poland would limit the practice, or stop it, if they did not have eligibility to participate in competitions. Organizers of sports and recreational events involving road running should rather educate runners in the direction of healthy behaviors. They should enrich the content of health education emphasizing the value of active participation and healthy lifestyle over sports rivalry.