This is the 3053rd most frequent Japanese word.
ランナー
"Runner" (e.g., a person who runs, or an athlete in a race).
In this sentence, "ランナー" (runner) describes individuals who engage in running sports, specifically those partaking in a marathon.
そのマラソン大会には多くのランナーが参加しました。
Many runners participated in the marathon event.
Here, "ランナー" refers to a fictional character portrayed as a runner, signifying someone with resilience and determination beyond the literal meaning of participating in a race.
彼は小説の中で、失敗を乗り越えながら成功を目指すランナーの物語を書いた。
He wrote a story in his novel about a runner striving for success while overcoming failures.
In this usage, "ランナー" is part of "ランナーシューズ" (runner shoes), describing shoes specifically designed for individuals who run.