The modern marathon race has its roots in Ancient Greece, inspired by the legendary story of a Greek messenger named Pheidippides.
According to the myth, after the Greeks triumphed over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, Pheidippides was tasked with running from the battlefield in Marathon to Athens to deliver the victorious news.
He is said to have run the entire distance—roughly 26 miles—without stopping, only to collapse and die after proclaiming the victory with his final breath.
This legendary run became the inspiration for the modern marathon, introduced in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, held in Athens. The race was designed to commemorate Pheidippides' feat, connecting the ancient world with modern athletic competitions.
Since then, the marathon distance has been standardised at 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometres), making it one of the world's most challenging and iconic endurance races.
The Battle of Marathon itself was a pivotal moment in Greek history, marking a decisive victory for the Athenian army over the much larger Persian forces.
This victory preserved Greek independence and laid the foundation for the development of democracy and Western civilisation. While largely mythological, Pheidippides' legendary run became a symbol of perseverance, dedication, and triumph against overwhelming odds.
Fun Fact:
The extra 0.2 miles in today's marathon was added during the 1908 London Olympics to accommodate the British royal family, as the race needed to finish in front of the royal box.
The article first appeared in Live Qurious.
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