A marathon is definitively 26.2 miles long, which is equivalent to 42.2 kilometers. For any race to be officially recognized as a marathon, it must adhere to this precise distance.
To be even more exact, the marathon distance is:
- 26 miles and 385 yards, totaling 26.218 miles.
- 42.195 kilometers, which equals 42,195 meters.
A half marathon, as the name suggests, is exactly half of a marathon’s distance: 13.1 miles or 21.1 kilometers.
But the question remains: why is the marathon set at this very specific and seemingly arbitrary distance?
The answer takes us on a historical journey, starting in Ancient Greece, passing through the revival of the Olympic Games in 1896, and surprisingly involving the British Royal Family, woven with threads of legend and historical fact.
The Legend of Pheidippides and the Battle of Marathon
The story behind the marathon’s origin is deeply rooted in legend, making it challenging to separate historical fact from myth. Pheidippides, a herald or messenger in ancient Greece, is central to this narrative. Heralds were tasked with running long distances to deliver important news. In 490 BC, when news arrived that Persian forces had landed near Marathon, with Athens as their intended target, Pheidippides was dispatched to seek assistance.
Popular belief often states that Pheidippides ran approximately 25 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the Persian landing. However, the story is more complex.
Pheidippides was initially sent to Sparta, roughly 150 miles across challenging terrain, to request military support. Legend has it that the Spartans, engaged in a religious festival, declined immediate assistance. Undeterred, Pheidippides is said to have run back. Whether his return journey was to Marathon or Athens is debated.
Meanwhile, the Greek forces achieved victory at the Battle of Marathon, causing the Persians to retreat. Anticipating a potential second attack, the Greek army marched to Athens, arriving just in time to witness the remaining Persian ships withdrawing.
Above: An artist’s depiction of Pheidippides delivering his message, highlighting the historical roots of the marathon.
It’s plausible that a messenger was indeed sent ahead to convey news of the victory. However, historical accounts differ on the messenger’s name. Possibilities include Pheidippides, Philippides, Thersipus of Erchius, or Eucles. The often-repeated tale of the messenger proclaiming “Nike! Nike! Nenikekiam” (Victory! Victory! We are victorious!), and then collapsing and dying after delivering the news, is likely a later dramatic addition to the narrative, embellished over centuries through poetry and art inspired by the Battle of Marathon.
Regardless of the embellishments, the Battle of Marathon and the (possibly mythical) run to Athens provided the inspiration for the modern marathon race.
An interesting etymological tidbit: “Marathon” originates from the Greek word for ‘fennel’. The Battle of Marathon got its name from the abundance of fennel plants growing in the area!
The 1896 Modern Olympic Games
The ancient Olympic Games, held over 2,500 years ago, began as a one-day event and expanded to five days. These games featured various athletic competitions, including running events, throwing disciplines, jumping, combat sports, and chariot racing. Notably, most events were famously contested in the nude.
The primary running event was the ‘stadion,’ a sprint covering the length of the stadium, approximately 200 meters. Other running races included the ‘diaulos,’ twice the stadion distance with a turnaround point; the ‘hoplitodromos,’ a stadion or two run in full armor; and longer races extending up to 24 stadions, still under 5 kilometers. Crucially, there was no marathon in the Ancient Olympics.
When the concept of hosting international modern Olympic Games was conceived in 1896, it was proposed to include a long-distance running race from Marathon to Athens, directly inspired by the legend of Pheidippides. The initial route was set at 40 kilometers. Greek water carrier, Spyridon Louis, emerged victorious in this inaugural Olympic marathon, completing the course in 2 hours and 58 minutes, cheered on by an estimated 100,000 enthusiastic home spectators at the finish line.
Above: A painting depicting the historic moment of Spyridon Louis winning the first Olympic Marathon in Athens, 1896, marking the beginning of the modern marathon tradition.
The Evolution to 26.2 Miles
The popularity of the Olympic marathon quickly spread, leading to the creation of the Boston Marathon in 1897, inspired by the previous year’s Olympic event. The first Boston Marathon saw 15 men compete on a 24.5-mile (39.4km) course, with John McDermott winning in 2:55:10. Boston holds the distinction of being the world’s longest continuously running marathon.
At the 1900 Paris Olympic Games, the marathon distance was slightly adjusted to 40.26km. The race was challenging, with only seven finishers due to the intense summer heat. The marathon at the 1904 St Louis Games is often described as ‘the strangest ever,’ due to bizarre incidents, including the initial winner being disqualified for hitching an 11-mile ride during the 40km race.
Above: Runners competing in the London 1908 Olympic Marathon, an event that played a crucial role in defining the modern marathon distance.
The pivotal moment in establishing the 26.2-mile marathon distance arrived at the London 1908 Olympics, steeped in another legendary story in marathon history.
The final marathon route was only finalized in the days leading up to the race. The course was planned to run from Buckingham Palace to the White City Stadium. Initially intended to be 25 miles, official measurement extended it to 25.5 miles. A decision was then made to move the starting point to the East Terrace of Windsor Castle, further lengthening the course to 26 miles from the Castle to the stadium’s exterior. Runners were then required to complete a full lap of the track, adding approximately 587 yards.
Further adjustments occurred. The original plan was for runners to enter the stadium through the Royal entrance. However, this would have interfered with the Royal Family’s exit. Consequently, the entrance was shifted to the opposite side of the stadium, shortening the track distance but ensuring the finish line remained beneath the Royal Box, as initially intended for all races. This final alteration resulted in a total distance of 26 miles and 385 yards.
Above: Dorando Pietri dramatically collapsing and being assisted across the finish line first in the 1908 Olympic Marathon, though he was later disqualified due to assistance.
Adding to the drama, runners were directed to run clockwise around the track, contrary to the anti-clockwise direction used in all other races. This caused confusion for the leading runner, Dorando Pietri, who entered the stadium and mistakenly ran the wrong way. He collapsed from exhaustion and was famously assisted across the finish line, leading to his subsequent disqualification. American Johnny Hayes was declared the winner in 2:55:18.
Interestingly, London was not initially slated to host the 1908 Olympics. Rome was the original host city, but the games were relocated to London due to financial constraints following the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1906. Had it not been for this change of location and London’s influence, the marathon distance we run today might well be different.
The Official Marathon Distance is Set
Between the 1896 and 1920 Olympic Games, the marathon distance varied across all seven events, reaching its longest at 42.7km at the 1920 Antwerp Games. In 1921, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF), now World Athletics, officially standardized the marathon distance to 26.2 miles/42.2km. Intriguingly, there is no documented explanation for why this specific distance, derived from the 1908 London Olympics, was formally chosen.
From the 1924 Paris Olympic Games onwards, all Olympic marathons have adhered to the standardized 26.2-mile distance. In 1924, the Boston Marathon also adjusted its course by moving the start line to Hopkinton, ensuring it matched the official 26.2-mile standard. This year, 2024, marks the centenary of runners officially covering exactly 26.2 miles for the marathon distance we know and love today.
For further insights into the myths and legends surrounding the marathon’s 26.2-mile distance, you can listen to The Running Channel podcast featuring Andy, Sarah, and Rick discussing its fascinating history.
