During the Great Depression, a unique cultural phenomenon emerged in the form of endurance dance marathons, where contestants danced for hours on end for cash prizes and food. These grueling events reflected the desperation of the era, as participants sought to escape poverty and hardship through competition. The marathons became a symbol of resilience and the lengths to which people would go to survive during one of America's most challenging economic periods.

The marathon and walkathon craze during the Great Depression in 1930 became a metaphor for existential struggle, inspiring poets like Horace McCoy. Their works reflected the bleak realities of the era, using the imagery of endurance to critique capitalist exploitation.