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Why is the marathon the distance it is?
The mythical explanation is that, around 490 BCE, the courier Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver news that the Greeks had trounced the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. The trouble with that explanation, however, is that Pheidippides would have only covered a distance of approximately 25 miles.
Why was one area named Marathon Valley what distance is a marathon race?
The idea for the modern marathon was inspired by the legend of an ancient Greek messenger who raced from the site of Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 40 kilometers, or nearly 25 miles, with the news of an important Greek victory over an invading army of Persians in 490 B.C. After making his announcement, the …
Why did the distance of the marathon change from 40 km to 42.195 km?
The london race in 1908 The British officials, desirous to accommodate the King of England, started the race at Windsor Castle and finished at the Royal box in the Olympic Stadium—a distance of precisely 26 miles 385 yards. But that only explains why the London marathon’s distance was 42. 195 km.
Who decided the marathon distance?
International Amateur Athletic Federation
The modern 42.195 kilometres (26.219 mi) standard distance for the marathon was set by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) in May 1921 directly from the length used at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.
What percentage of people have run a Marathon?
Less than 1% of the population in the U.S. has completed a marathon, according to RunRepeat. The average marathon time for women worldwide is about 4 hours and 45 minutes.
Why was the marathon distance set to 26 miles?
It is commonly said that the distance was set to 26 miles 385 yards because of the Royal family. During the preparation of the summer Olympiads, it had been agreed that the organizers would include a marathon of about 40 km or 25 miles.
How long is a marathon in KMS and miles?
Marathon distance in kms, meters, yards and miles. 1 Marathon distance in kilometers: 42.195 kilometers. 2 Marathon distance in meters: 42,195 meters. 3 Marathon distance in miles: 26.219 miles. 4 Marathon distance in yards: 46.145 yards. 5 Marathon distance in miles and yards: 26 miles 385 yards.
Where did the idea of the marathon come from?
The ancient games, which took place in Greece from around 776 B.C. to A.D. 393, never included such long-distance races. The idea for the modern marathon was inspired by the legend of an ancient Greek messenger who raced from the site of Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 40 kilometers, or nearly 25 miles,…
What’s the official distance of the Boston Marathon?
Participant of the 2016 Boston Marathon, April 2016. The marathon is a long-distance race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (approximately 26 miles 385 yards), usually run as a road race.