The marathon race has a rich and fascinating history that dates back to ancient Greece. The origin of the marathon is rooted in the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the Persians in 490 BC. According to the story, after delivering the message “We have won,“ he collapsed and died from exhaustion.
The modern marathon race was introduced at the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. The distance of the first Olympic marathon was approximately 40 kilometers （25 miles）, roughly the distance from Marathon to Athens. The race was won by Spyridon Louis, a Greek water carrier, who became a national hero.
In 1908, at the London Olympics, the marathon distance was extended to 26 miles and 385 yards （42.195 kilometers） to accommodate the British royal family\“s request to start the race at Windsor Castle and finish in front of the royal box at the Olympic Stadium. This distance became the standard for all future marathons.
Today, marathon racing has evolved into a global phenomenon with major events like the Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon, London Marathon, and Berlin Marathon attracting thousands of participants from around the world. The marathon has also become a symbol of human endurance and achievement, with runners of all ages and abilities challenging themselves to complete the 42.195-kilometer distance. |
