# Social Media Marathons Sports Experts Created a "42.2 Km Website" for Users to Scroll Through By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2017-06-07 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sports-experts References: [adeevee](http://www.adeevee.com/2017/06/sports-experts-the-scrolling-marathon-online/) & [scrollingmarathon](https://scrollingmarathon.ca/) As a retailer of sports equipment, apparel and accessories, Sports Experts wanted to bring attention to its sponsorship of the Montreal Marathon in a creative way. As such, it created 'The Scrolling Marathon,' which was set up as a "42.2 km website" for Internet users to scroll through. To make the online marathon experience as life-like as possible, The Scrolling Marathon even simulated the real altitude of the Montreal Marathon, adding a bit of resistance to one's downward scrolls. In all, about 15,000 people participated in The Scrolling Marathon, and those who were able to make it to the [virtual finish line](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aviron-victory-treadmill) were rewarded with [sports gear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bandit-x-asics) that they'd be able to use in the real world. Even though the "lazy athletes" to "run" the virtual marathon might not seem like the types to run a real-world marathon, the winners of The Scrolling Marathon might find themselves inspired to devote themselves to a new physical activity. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.3/10 - Popularity: 36% | Activity: 84% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Virtual Events:** Creating immersive online experiences that replicate real-world events. - **Gamification:** Using game mechanisms and reward systems to engage and motivate users. - **Digital Marketing Campaigns:** Developing innovative online campaigns to promote products or services. ### Where This Applies - **Retail:** Using interactive online experiences to promote and sell products. - **Sports and Fitness:** Creating virtual competitions and challenges to encourage physical activity. - **Marketing and Advertising:** Leveraging innovative digital strategies to attract and engage consumers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Immersive Virtual Marathons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-marathon.md) - [Interactive Job-Centric Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-coolest-job-on-earth.md) - [Multi-Faceted Virtual Competitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/online-10k-challenge.md) - [Community-Focused Hybrid Running Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/runningman.md) - [Inclusive Marathon Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/runner-321.md) - [Activity Planner Contests](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/make-time-for-sports.md) - [Experiential Running Shoe Shops](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sportsshoes.md) - [Inclusive Metaverse Marathons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/metaverse-marathon.md) - [Streetside Challenge Billboards](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gymbox-start-line.md)