In the past month or so, marathon races have taken over the world's cities. Especially in the United States, the marathons have been getting more and more attention. With people such as Will Ferrell and P. Diddy going the distance, the sport has been gaining popularity.

Running is the newest trend. But is running the cool new thing to do? When you think of America, you do not usually associate our country as a running culture. We are seen as the fast-food nation. Anything besides pressing your finger to switch channels is considered exercise. Yet everyday, I am seeing more people on this campus running on the streets of Champaign-Urbana.

This trend is a good thing. There are obviously so many health benefits from running and jogging. It's the cheapest way to stay active. And until January hits, you can still usually run outside instead of waiting for those wonderful IMPE machines. But what I have noticed is that there has been increased attention to the sport and especially the marathon.

It seems that whenever celebrities get onboard, it certainly helps out the cause. P. Diddy made the New York Marathon an event by also contributing to a charitable cause: He set out to raise more than $1 million for New York's public schools, the Children's Hope Foundation for children suffering from HIV/AIDS and his own Daddy's House youth organization. Through media outlets, Combs raised interest in the race.

Diddy, showing off a styling Mr. T-style Mohawk, finished in 4 hours, 14 minutes and 54 seconds even through he began cramping halfway through the race. Personally, I pity the fool who would want to run 26.2 miles. For some reason, running 26.2 miles never made my list of something I want to do. However, I will occasionally drag myself out of bed early to go jog on the Quad. You may have even seen me out there; I am the one whose face is bright red and I am always out of breath. But afterwards I always feel great. Still, 26.2 miles is something I will never achieve.

Even P. Diddy is with me on this. He replied to the press with a resounding "NO," when asked if he would run again. However, his efforts raised $2 million for the city's children. For Diddy and America, running might be the newest trend, but Kenyans have been doing this for a long time. They always seem to win the marathons. Kenyan Martin Lel crossed the finish line in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 30 seconds for the men, and Margaret Okayo, also from Kenya, took the women's crown with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes and 31 seconds, according to MSN.com.

So why are Kenyans such successful distance runners? One theory is that the majority of Kenya's runners were born and raised at a high altitude. Athletes grow accustomed to the thinner air because they build a greater lung capacity.

But beyond that is perhaps a more important factor: Kenya has a running culture. A marathon to Kenyans is like playing in the Super Bowl to an American. Many young Kenyans see long distance running as their way out of poverty.

If Kenyans are so good at running because they are used to the altitude then I have no chance in Illinois flat lands. Perhaps if I ever decide to run a marathon, I can request a handicap.

Maybe Americans will never be as good as those Kenyans, but increasing the popularity of running is a good start. This year my brother-in-law ran the Chicago Marathon. (He beat Puffy's time!). But I suppose that because we are known to emulate celebrities, knowing that Diddy can do it, then the least I can do is wake up in the morning to go on a run.

Darcy McNutt is a senior in LAS. Her columns appear Wednesdays. She can be reached at opinions@dailyillini.com.