Greece and the origin of the Marathon | Know the history

Italy and Greece are regarded as the birthplaces of many of the cultural pillars of the West. Among their many contributions are the Olympic Games and, of course, the marathon—an iconic 42,195‐metre race celebrated around the globe. But have you ever wondered about the fascinating origins of the marathon?

The Origin of the Marathon: Between Myth, Legend, and Reality

The story of the marathon begins long ago in Athens. The name marathon is said to derive from the legend of Pheidippides—a Greek messenger tasked with running from Marathon to Athens (roughly 40 kilometres) to announce the Athenian victory over the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. In this tale, the word “Marathon” refers not only to the city but also to the historic battleground.

Pheidippides is reputed to have raced the 40 kilometres with all his might, despite the lack of urgency if victory had been certain. The Athenians, believing defeat was imminent and fearing a Persian invasion that would lead to the massacre of their families, were driven to desperate measures—making his urgent run all the more dramatic. According to legend, after completing his run, he collapsed at the city gates, exclaiming, “We have won!”

Is the Legend of the Marathon Accurate?

While this tale is undeniably inspiring, historians debate its accuracy. Some accounts suggest that Pheidippides might have run even longer distances—up to 240 kilometres from Athens to Sparta on a separate occasion. Such variations add layers of mystery to the traditional story of the marathon’s origin.

The Marathon and the Olympic Games

When the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, the organisers sought an event that would evoke the glory of ancient Greece. It was then that the story of Pheidippides and the Battle of Marathon was resurrected, inspiring the inaugural Olympic marathon. The race, won by Greek runner Spyridon Louis in 2:58:50, initially had a variable distance. It wasn’t until the 1908 Olympic Games in London that the course was standardised—extended to 42,195 metres so the route could begin at Windsor Castle and finish at the Olympic Stadium. This distance has since become the global standard for marathons.

Women and the Origin of the Marathon

Today, it’s common to see hundreds of women starting, enjoying, and finishing marathons. However, not long ago, women were excluded from such long-distance events. During the 1970s, while the Olympic marathon had evolved from its ancient origins, female athletes were still barred from competing officially in marathon races. The struggle to introduce a women’s marathon was, in itself, a long-distance race—a battle for inclusion that eventually paved the way for women’s events in the Olympic Games.

Before the 1980s, there were no women’s distance races in the Olympic Games

In 1928, women first participated in the Olympic Games, but only in races up to 800 metres. On that occasion, while German runner Lina Radke set a world record in the 800‑metre race, many other female athletes suffered on the track due to inadequate preparation. As a result, Olympic organisers long deemed long-distance running too strenuous for women. This led to the exclusion of races beyond 200 metres until the 1960s, and at the 1980 Moscow Games, the longest women’s race was just 1,500 metres.

The marathon has been a staple of the men’s athletics programme since the 1896 Athens Olympics and only became an official event for women at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

And What About Women in Popular Marathons?

Before 1972, women were not allowed to officially participate in the Boston Marathon. Many, however, took part covertly. In 1966, Roberta Gibb discreetly joined the race by hiding behind a bush, finishing with an unofficial time of 3:21:25. The following year, race official efforts to stop participant Kathrine Switzer—who had been assigned the number 261—resulted in a memorable moment as her fellow runners defended her right to compete. Kathrine Switzer completed the race in 4:20, and the images of the officials trying to remove her quickly ignited a debate on the inclusion of women in marathons.

Breaking Barriers in the 1970s

On August 31, 1971, Adrienne Beames of Australia became the first woman to complete a marathon in under three hours, finishing in 2:46:30. Then, on October 28, 1973, the first women’s marathon was held in Waldniel, West Germany.

Why is the Marathon 42.195 Kilometres?
The distance was established during the 1908 London Olympic Games when the race was extended to start at Windsor Castle and finish at the Olympic Stadium. This adjustment set the standard at 42.195 kilometres, a distance that has since been adopted worldwide, offering a consistent challenge for runners.

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