Greece and the origin of the Marathon | Know the history

Italy and Greece are the cradles and the origin of many of the elements that make up Western culture. Among them are the Olympic Games and, of course, the marathon—an iconic 42,195-meter race celebrated worldwide. But do you know the fascinating marathon origins?

The origin of the marathon: between myth, legend, and reality

The history of the marathon begins many years ago in Athens. The name marathon is derived from the legend of Pheidippides. The myth says that Pheidippides was a Greek messenger. His mission was to run from Marathon to Athens to announce the Athenian victory against the Persians at the Battle of Marathon (490 BC). Marathon refers both to the name of a city and the battleground of this significant conflict.

The distance between Marathon and Athens is about 40 kilometers and Pheidippides had to travel quickly. You will say that there was not much hurry if they had won, right? The Athenians believed that they had lost the battle and that this allowed the Persians to invade them. To prevent this invasion, they were about to murder all women and children before burning the city to the ground, motivating Pheidippide to rush.

According to legend, he achieved the feat, and after running the 40 kilometers with his last forces, collapsed in front of Athens shouting the message: we have won! 

Is the legend about the origin of the Marathon accurate?

While this tale is inspiring, the historical accuracy is debated. Some sources suggest that Pheidippides may have run an even greater distance—up to 240km—from Athens to Sparta shortly before this event. This casts doubt on the traditional story of the marathon origin as we know it.

The origin of the marathon and the Olympic Games

In the first modern Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896, the organizers were looking for a great event that would recall the glory of ancient Greece. It was here that the idea of the myth of Pheidippides and the Battle of Marathon arose.

The first Olympic marathon was held on April 10, 1896, and its winner was Spyridon Louis. The Greek runner ran from the Marathon plain to the Olympic stadium in Athens in 2:58:50.

However, the distance varied over the years, depending on the circuit that was used. It wasn’t until the 1908 Olympic Games in London, it was officially modified. So, for the race to start at Windsor Castle and finish at the Olympic Stadium, the organizers had to expand the distance to cover 42,195 meters.

Women and the origin of the Marathon

Although today it is normal to see hundreds of women who start, enjoy and finish marathons, not too many years ago they could not do it.
In the 1970s, the Olympic marathon had come a long way from the dusty roads of Athens. However, women were still not allowed to compete and the struggle to establish a women’s Olympic marathon was itself a kind of long-distance race.

In fact, before the 1980s, there were no women’s distance races in the Olympic Games

Although today it is normal to see hundreds of women who start, enjoy and finish marathons, not too many years ago they could not do it.

In the 1970s, the Olympic marathon had come a long way from the dusty roads of Athens. However, women were still not allowed to compete and the struggle to establish a women’s Olympic marathon was itself a kind of long-distance race.

In fact, before the 1980s, there were no women’s distance races in the Olympic Games. In 1928, women could compete in the Olympics for the first time, but only in races up to 800 meters

Unfortunately, on this first occasion there were some problems:
• Lina Radke, from Germany, set a world record in this distance
• But many other athletes had not prepared properly and some collapsed on the track.
• The Olympic organizers felt that athletics was too strenuous for women.
• As a consequence, women could not compete in races of more than 200 meters until the 1960s
• At the Moscow Games (1980), the longest women’s race was 1,500 meters.

The marathon is part of the athletics program in the Olympic Games since Athens 1896, in the men’s category, and from Los Angeles 1984, in the female category.

And what about women in popular marathons?

Before 1972, women had been excluded from the most famous marathon, the Boston Marathon. However, this rule did not prevent women from hiding and participating in a covert manner. In 1966, Roberta Gibb hid behind a bush at the start of the Boston Marathon, furtively entered the field and finished the race at an unofficial time of 3:21:25.

The following year, number 261 in the Boston marathon was assigned to participant K.V. Switzer. At the 3.2 km race, the organizers realized that Switzer was a woman, Kathrine Switzer. Career director Will Cloney and officer Jock Semple tried to grab Switzer and pull her out of the race, or at least eliminate her number, but her teammates defended her with body blocks. Kathrine Switzer finished the Boston Marathon in 4:20.

The photographs of the career officers chasing Switzer appeared in the national newspapers the next day and were the starting point to start debating whether or not women could participate in this great career.

Breaking barriers in the 1970s

On August 31, 1971, Adrienne Beames of Australia, became the first woman to run a marathon in less than three hours, breaking that barrier with a time of 2:46:30. On October 28, 1973, the first women’s marathon was held in Waldniel, West Germany.

Why is the marathon 26.2 miles?

The marathon was officially set at 26.2 miles due to the adjustments made during the 1908 London Olympic Games. This is when organizers extended the race to accommodate royal viewing areas. The distance has since become the standard for marathon races globally, providing a consistent and challenging experience for runners.

Discover Greece with Exoticca

If the remarkable history of the marathon intrigues you, consider exploring Greece’s stunning landscapes and rich culture with Exoticca. Experience the beauty of the very land that inspired this iconic race and walk in the footsteps of legendary runners. Immerse yourself in the stories that shaped the marathon as we know it today.