The marathon is famous for being a brutal test of endurance, but you’ve probably also heard that it has a strange distance. Why is it 26.2 miles? Or, for those of us who use the metric system, why is a marathon 42.195 kilometers?
While the distance is pretty standard now, it wasn’t always this way. The marathon has a history rooted in legend and shaped by specific historical events.
This article will dive into that historical context and explore how the marathon distance came to be what it is today. Plus, we’ll touch on the training required to finish this iconic race and what the marathon does to your body.
The Legend of Pheidippides and the Battle of Marathon
The marathon’s origin story centers on Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. Legend says he ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to tell people about the Greeks’ victory over the Persians.
While the story suggests that the distance Pheidippides ran inspired the modern marathon, the actual distance he covered is uncertain. The Battle of Marathon happened in 490 BC. Understanding this historical context helps explain the marathon’s symbolic importance.
The story of Pheidippides is inspiring, but it’s likely been embellished over the years. The exact distance he ran probably differed from the official marathon distance we know today.
The Early Olympic Marathons: A Distance in Flux
While today’s marathon distance is fixed, that wasn’t always the case. The early Olympic marathons saw a bit of variation in length.
The First Modern Olympic Games (1896)
The 1896 Athens Olympics introduced the modern marathon to the world. Spyridon Louis, a Greek runner, captured the gold, finishing the race in roughly 2 hours and 58 minutes.
The approximate distance of that first marathon? Around 40 kilometers.
That event really caught the world’s attention and helped make the marathon a popular race. In fact, an estimated 100,000 Greek fans were on hand to cheer Louis to victory.
Varying Distances in Subsequent Olympics
Early on, there wasn’t a set marathon distance.
- The 1900 Paris Olympic Marathon: 40.26 kilometers
- The 1904 St. Louis Olympic Marathon: 40 kilometers
These differences show how the modern Olympics lacked a standardized distance in its early years.
The 1908 London Olympics: How the Distance Was Set
The 1908 London Olympics is when the marathon distance we use today was solidified. But how did they decide on that specific length?
The initial plan was for a 25-mile race. The route was designed to begin at Windsor Castle and end at White City Stadium. However, things changed to accommodate the royal family.
First, they moved the starting point so the royals could view the beginning of the race from Windsor Castle. Then, they added another 385 yards inside the stadium so the finish line would be directly in front of the royal box.
This brought the total distance to 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 kilometers). In that race, Dorando Pietri famously collapsed near the finish line, and Johnny Hayes ended up winning the gold medal after Pietri was disqualified.
Standardization and the Modern Marathon
In 1921, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) created a standard marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers).
With this change, marathon races became consistent across the world.
While the reasons behind choosing this exact distance are somewhat fuzzy, the 1908 London Olympics were important in the decision.
Around this time, the Boston Marathon, which is the oldest annual marathon in the United States, also helped cement the event’s popularity.
Beyond the Distance: Training and Preparation
Running a marathon isn’t something you can decide to do on a whim. You need to train, period. Most runners train for at least six months before the big day, running at least three days per week.
Training plans depend on your experience. If you’re a beginner, you’ll want to build a base mileage of 12-15 miles per week before adding distance or speed.
No matter your level, you should focus on gradually increasing your mileage, tapering your runs the week before the marathon, and staying properly hydrated and nourished.
What other race distances are there?
The marathon is the race distance that most people know, but there are lots of others.
- 5K (3.1 miles)
- 10K (6.2 miles)
- Half-marathon (13.1 miles or 21.1 kilometers)
- Ultra-marathons (any distance longer than a marathon)
Many runners use these races as practice for a full marathon.
Wrapping Up
The marathon’s 26.2-mile distance is a strange combination of historical happenstance, heroic legend, and logistical compromises.
From its mythical origins to its current standardization, the marathon continues to inspire runners around the world.
Knowing the history of the distance adds an extra layer of meaning to the experience of running or watching a marathon.