What is the history behind the marathon?
What is the history behind the marathon?
The marathon was never one of the ancient Olympic events, although its origin dates back to another episode in ancient Greek history. In the 5th century B.C., the Persians invaded Greece, landing at Marathon, a small town about 26 miles from the city of Athens.
Where did the marathon come from ancient Olympics?
Although never part of the ancient Olympic Games, the marathon does have ancient Greek origins. According to the Greek historian Herodotus, when the Athenians learned that the Persians had landed at Marathon on the way to attack Athens in 490 BC, a messenger named Pheidippides ran to Sparta with a request for help.
Who proposed the introduction of marathon race in the Olympic?
After Athens was chosen to host the first modern Summer Games in 1896, French linguist Michel Bréal proposed that the sporting competition include a long-distance run to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pheidippides, the messenger who dropped dead from exhaustion after sprinting 25 miles to Athens after the …
How did the Olympic marathon get its name?
The marathon is named in honour of the defeat of the Persian army by the Athenians at Marathon, near Athens, in 490 BC. Pheidippides, a Greek runner, ran to give the news to the people of Athens, but died as he did so. The first modern marathon was run in honour of this event at the 1896 Athens Olympics.
When was the marathon first included in the Olympic Games?
April 10, 1896
On April 10, 1896, Greek water-carrier Spyridon Louis won the first Olympic marathon in 2 hours 58 minutes and 50 seconds.
Who invented the marathon race?
The idea of a marathon race came from Michel Bréal, who wanted the event to feature in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. This idea was heavily supported by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, as well as by the Greeks.
What was the marathon in ancient Greece?
Marathon (Demotic Greek: Μαραθώνας, Marathónas; Attic/Katharevousa: Μαραθών, Marathṓn) is a town in Greece and the site of the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE, in which the heavily outnumbered Athenian army defeated the Persians.
When was the first marathon run?
1896
he first-ever marathon took place in Athens, Greece, in 1896 and was a distance of about 25 miles. Greek water-carrier Spyridon Louis, became a local hero after winning the event.
Why is a marathon exactly 26.2 miles?
The short answer is that marathons are set at 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) because the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) officially adopted that in 1921.
What happened in the first Olympic marathon?
The Olympic trial, held on March 10, 1896, was the first organized marathon race ever to run, but two runners had run the course in February. Then, only G. Grigorou covered the entire course on foot-his time was three hours and forty-five minutes (3:45).
What was the original marathon distance?
42.195 26.22
The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896. The distance did not become standardized until 1921….Distance.
| Year | Distance (km) | Distance (miles) |
|---|---|---|
| 1908 | 42.195 | 26.22 |
| 1912 | 40.2 | 24.98 |
| 1920 | 42.75 | 26.56 |
| 1924 onward | 42.195 | 26.22 |
When was the first Olympic marathon?
The Boston Marathon began on 19 April 1897, and was inspired by the success of the first marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics.
Who was the oldest Olympic marathon winner?
The previous world record for the Oldest Olympic women’s marathon winner had been the legendary Carlos Lopes of Portugal who won the men’s marathon in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics at the age of 37.
What is the Olympic marathon record?
Modern Olympics marathon. The Olympic men’s record is 2:06:32, set at the 2008 Summer Olympics by Samuel Kamau Wanjiru of Kenya (average speed about 20.01 kilometres per hour or 12.43 miles per hour). The Olympic women’s record is 2:23:07, set at the 2012 Summer Olympics by Tiki Gelana of Ethiopia.
How long is the Olympic marathon course?
The 2012 Olympic Marathon Course is that of both the men’s and women’s marathon races at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in London. The 42.195-kilometre (26.219-mile) route consists of one short circuit of 3.571 kilometres (2.219 miles) followed by three circuits of 12.875 kilometres (8.0 miles).
