Why is the marathon 42 km?

Due to the local conditions at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, the marathon distance was extended to 42.750 km. On May 27, 1921, the competent IAAF organ, the World Records Committee, decided to set the distance of the Olympic marathon according to the London model: 42.195 km = 26 miles, 385 yards!

What is the history of 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 …

What is the origin of the marathon distance?

In a nod to Greek history, the first marathon commemorated the run of the soldier Pheidippides from a battlefield near the town of Marathon, Greece, to Athens in 490 B.C. According to legend, Pheidippides ran the approximately 25 miles to announce the defeat of the Persians to some anxious Athenians.

How long did the first marathon take?

Pheidippides: is the ancient Greek marathon runner remembered for the wrong run? Every marathon that takes place today recalls the feats of a heroic messenger in ancient Greece, who ran not just 26 miles but 300 and accomplished this remarkable feat of endurance running in only three days.

Why do they call it marathon?

The event is named after the legendary 26-mile run made by a Greek soldier called Philippides (also known as Pheidippides) from the scene of the battle of Marathon to Athens, where he announced the defeat of the invading Persians. This distance was standardised at 26 miles 385 yards (42.195km) in 1921.

How was the marathon distance determined?

In the 1908 London Olympics, the marathon started at Windsor Castle and finished in the White City stadium, measuring 26 miles. Until that point, the marathon distance was roughly 24 miles, inspired by the ancient route run by Pheidippides. D., a sports psychologist who works with Olympic marathoners.

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.

How long is the full marathon in KM?

42.195 km
A daily training run for amateur runners ranges from 20 km to 25 km at a maximum. However, a full marathon is 42.195 km. This distance is twice as long as that of regular training. It is not possible to run at a pace set during training for the full length of the marathon.

What was the original distance of the marathon?

It went from 40 km to 42.75. The definitive distance for the marathon race was determined in 1921 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF). The distance chosen was the one ran in London in 1908 : 26 miles 385 yards or 42.195 km.

Why is the London Marathon 26 miles?

The london race in 1908. 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.

What units are used to measure the distance of a marathon?

Here you can find the marathon distance in different measuring units: 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. More

What was the distance of the 1908 London Olympic marathon?

The International Olympic Committee agreed in 1907 that the distance for the 1908 London Olympic marathon would be about 25 miles or 40 kilometres.