Do marathon runners talk to each other? And is there any gamesmanship going on? Any unsportsmanlike behaviour?

Question

I'm living in Japan, and they often televise full marathons. It occurred to me today that there are often large groups of runners who are running together for rather a long time. I wondered if there is conversation going on. Of course, they often come from many different countries so that might reduce conversation.
And I wondered if they have any tactics to one-up the people around them? And is there any difference in what goes on between the men's and the women's marathon?

Answer 1

I think there's almost no chatting. Every ounce of energy needs to be conserved. I'm sure the odd word is exchanged, particularly between team members (from same country) and then probably only about strategy about the race.

They frown on athletes who trip other runners. ;)

Answer 2

I do long distance mountain biking/cycling, and we do converse in that. not sure about marathons though, in the begining perhaps, but towards the end it would get too tiring... im not sure though