Forget the midlife crisis sports car, hitting the road for a marathon is today’s preference

A MIDLIFE crisis is now more often marked by a health kick than a fancy car, a study has found.

According to Bupa, running a marathon has replaced buying a sports car as a reaction to a middle-age milestone, with 24 per cent of Britons signing up to run a marathon or for some other endurance event.

Reaching 30, 40, or 50 spurs many people to make major lifestyle changes such as a better diet, cutting down on alcohol and booking a health MOT.

Half the women surveyed either signed up to a gym or hired a personal trainer after a landmark birthday.

The study of 3,000 British adults, by Bupa Health Clinics, showed these lifestyle changes lasted 3.5 years on average, although a quarter of people relapsed within the first 12 months. Only 5 per cent maintained their new regime for eight years or more.

Entering a new decade seems to have a pronounced psychological impact on many people, which is known to researchers as “the zero effect”.

Research found that 47 per cent of Britons felt significantly older and began worrying about their health after turning 30, 40 or 50, with women feeling the impact sooner than men.

Women typically take stock of their health when they reach 30, while men are more likely to make health and lifestyle resolutions at 40. The motivations behind the changes were also found to be different.

For men, becoming vegan (24 per cent) or entering a competitive event (31 per cent) are key signs of a midlife turning point, with 6per cent keen to get fitter because “they have a younger partner they need to keep up with”.

In contrast, 20 per cent of women see a milestone birthday as an opportunity to reassess all areas of life and think about what’s really important, with 67 per cent adopting a new healthy eating plan.