Marathon Running

A marathon is one of the longest foot races in the world. It is about 26.2 miles or 42 kilometers long. Runners train for months to get ready for a marathon. The race can take several hours to finish.

Where It Started

The marathon is named after a town in ancient Greece called Marathon. A story says a Greek soldier ran from there to Athens to share news of a battle. That is why the race is called a marathon. It was part of the first modern Olympics in 1896.

A painting of the ancient runner whose long run started the marathon.
A painting of the ancient runner whose long run started the marathon. (Luc-Olivier Merson / Wikimedia Commons)

Famous Marathons

Big cities host famous marathons every year. The Boston, New York, and London marathons are some of the best known. Thousands of runners join these races. People line the streets to cheer them on.

Fun Facts

  • A marathon is 26 miles and 385 yards long.
  • The fastest marathon ever run was under two hours.
  • Runners drink water and eat snacks during the race.

Did You Know?

The very first Olympic marathon winner was a Greek water carrier named Spyridon Louis.