Understanding the Relationship Between Motivation, Sport Involvement and Sport Event Evaluation Meanings as Factors Influencing Marathon Participation

With the level of growth in endurance running participation, it is important to develop a stronger understanding of what motivates individuals to participate in these types of events, as well as what limitations or challenges they may face related to this participation. This study focused on developing a stronger understanding between individuals’ motivation, sport involvement, and sport event evaluative meanings. Utilizing Self-determination theory (SDT), the psychological continuum model (PCM), and the sport event evaluative meanings (SEEM) as guiding frameworks, this investigation provided some valuable insights into the relationship between these constructs. In terms of motivation and involvement, this study provided evidence that motivation, involvement, and meaning are interrelated constructs that predict individuals’ participation or consumption intentions.