Instagram/@mattjames919
Matt James has decided to set a new and uncomplicated goal for the Chicago Marathon. The former ‘Bachelor’ star unveiled his bib number, 20378, and called on fellow runners to share their numbers as well. His primary objective for the 26.2-mile race was nothing more than to simply “Have Fun,” which resonated with the runners and drew a great deal of supportive comments and likes on the posts.
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In a way, it was like the post of James was the virtual meeting point for marathon participants. He kept himself very active in the comments and turned the event into a digital pep rally. His strategy demonstrated that personal achievement and community experience in running could be as important as the final time on the clock.
As soon as the comments started rolling in with bib numbers, so did the cheers from other runners. One first-timer shared their number 34444 and stated that they were “very excited” like “never before”. James replied to this runner very supportively saying, “You are gonna fly!!”. This not only shows but also exemplifies the taxing atmosphere of support that James created.
A different runner who was on their 9th marathon and had done 4 chi marathons shared the number 50672 and James congratulated the runner on their impressive achievement by calling them a “beast”. This interaction brought to light the event bringing together all kinds of experience levels, beginners to experts.
The community feeling that was shared was more than just sharing numbers. Someone told that they met James at a pre-race Louis shake out event and that it was quite funny how virtual mingling resembles real interactions of running communities. They were also discussing the spots where they would be cheering along the run, with one person saying that they would just watch from their balcony on Michigan and 14th Street.
The James’ “Have Fun” slogan was definitely in tune with the mood of the followers. One of the comments told that it is the “Best goal time I’ve seen yet!”. This really shows that the fun and competition are intertwined which is a clear indication of the shift in people’s attitudes towards endurance events—very often personal fulfillment is preferred to performance-based outcomes.
What is more, the post allowed the running community to share some light moments and inside jokes as well. When James in one of the comments mentioned “the Lorax” it led to the discussion of the character “speaking for the trees and for marathons!” This kind of friendly exchanges just indicates how much shared experiences and humor can help athletes in overcoming the same challenges turning them into a group.
The comment section was filled with users saying that they would look for James at some mile markers or that they would spot it at the finish line reflecting how the online connections were transforming into live cheering on the race day. The post became a focal point of the running community, with participants virtually cheering each other on beforehand and later that day physically supporting each other on the course.
James was very steady and personalized in his engagement throughout the comments. He replied to many users one by one, most often using different emojis and specific words of encouragement. This kind of interaction made a simple social media post a real community-building exercise.
The number 20378—on the one hand, it illustrated the enormous scale of the Chicago Marathon while on the other, it gave a personal and approachable vibe—the range of bib numbers shared went all the way from the 300s to over 50,000. Every number is a story of its own and a different way to the starting line and it was only James’s post that could weave together such diverse narratives.
For a lot of people taking part in the marathon, anxiety and excitement accompany them during the days leading to the event. James’ relaxed attitude and community-centered post were like a breath of fresh air, a distraction, and a source of positive energy. Also, his prioritization of fun over an undefined time limit was like a green light for others to take the same approach which, in turn, could help in alleviating the fear of pre-race anxiety for many runners.
The volume of the response to James’ post supports the argument that a significant number of individuals still depend on the sway of high-profile people to promote honest community engagement around common goals and experiences through their platforms. Instead of documenting his marathon journey solely, he opened the door for hundreds of other runners to share the thrill, and give and receive support.
The virtual community of marathon participants not only motivated but also acted as a practical means of coordinating the activities of all the runners taking the hard route. The lively atmosphere generated by these interactions must have been a motivating factor for everyone involved, and it is then that one comes to the realization that the race goal which is the most valuable is not measured in minutes and seconds but in shared experiences and mutual support.
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Matt James’ decision for the Chicago Marathon is the perfect example of how sports can mix competition with community, performance with personal connection. His easy goal of having fun while people gathering made a positively rippling effect that surpassed his race experience. His marathon training involved careful preparation, including a visit to the State Fair of Texas where he sampled various foods. He also enjoys discovering local gems, like when he found New York’s best breakfast burrito deal. Food exploration is a passion for James, who has shared his favorite foods at the Minnesota State Fair and even toured Wake Forest’s legendary cafeteria.