History of the Marathon - Going Back in Time 2,500 Years
Reaching back more than 2,500 years, the history of the marathon is long and rich in glory.
In modern times, hundreds of thousands of people run marathons every year.
While some runners do it for the glory, many others run marathons for a sense of achievement and to raise funds for charities and other good causes.
Marathons are sporting events with a wide appeal, and many people compete in them.
Even if you're not a particularly strong runner, if you put in the training effort, you can still participate in a marathon.
The Annual London Marathon, for example, has hundreds of participants who never run; instead, they walk the entire length of the course.
The History of the Marathon: Where and How Did This Endurance Race Begin?
Premier athletes from around the world train for months and years for a single day. Where and how did this grueling endurance race begin?
The modern marathon we know today goes back to the late 19th century, but the early history of the marathon is surrounded by the mists of legend.
According to many historians, the history of the marathon begins with a battle that occurred in ancient Greece in 490 B.C., more than 2,500 years ago.
Athenian soldiers were defending a region near Athens known as "Marathon" in a battle against the invading Persians. The Athenians sent a messenger named Phidippides to Sparta to ask for help.
According to the legend, Phidippides ran 150 miles in under two days.
As time passed, the story changed and it is now said that Phidippides ran to Sparta to tell the city of the Athenian victory at Marathon, dying from his efforts as he managed to convey his message.
The History of the Marathon: Its Modern Origins
While probably a myth, the story of Phidippides had a great impact on the history of the marathon.
Michele Breal, a French historian, offered a silver trophy to the man who won a race that re-enacted Phidippides' legendary run.
As a result, the marathon was one of the sports featured in the first modern Olympic Games, held in 1896.
A 24.8 mile (40 kilometer) race, to be called the marathon, was designed by the Olympic organizers to be the climax of these first modern Olympic Games.
Before the Olympic race, two trial marathons were run to select the men who would represent Greece.
The actual Olympic marathon involved 13 Greeks and 4 other athletes. Full of drama and suspense, it was ultimately won by Spiridon Louis, a Greek sheepherder.
The History of the Marathon: The 26.2 Mile Distance
The history of the marathon distance goes back to the London Olympic Games of 1908. When laying out the Olympic marathon course, the organizers originally intended it to be 26 miles long.
The race was to begin at Windsor Castle and end in London's White City Stadium. In a slight change of plans, the finish line was moved to be in front of the stadium's royal box.
The changed finish line meant the marathon's distance would be 26.2 miles instead of 26. Olympic officials adopted 26.2 miles as the official Olympic marathon distance in 1924.
The History of the Marathon: The World Marathon Majors
Now, it seems like just about every large city and region holds a marathon every year.
Five of the largest marathons, held in Boston, Berlin, London, Chicago and New York, have banded together and launched the World Marathon Majors.
A one million dollar purse is to be split equally between the world's top male and female marathoners.
Naturally, this large amount of prize money adds a great deal of significance to elite marathon running.
Only those who are born with outstanding natural talent and the dedication and diligence necessary to train extremely hard have a chance of winning this prize money.
The rest of us, however, can take great pride in following in the footsteps of ancient Phidippides when we complete a marathon.
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