Who was the man that ran from the Marathon plain to Athens?

Answer 1

Phidippides, I believe. But you should probably check wikipedia...

Reality

There is a problem here - Pheidippides was dead by the time of the battle. He had run to Sparta to summon them to help Athens fight off the invading Persians. On his return after running nearly 200 miles, he died of exhaustion. Meanwhile the Athenians and Plataeans stayed in the hills around Marathon where the superior Persian cavalry could not get at them, waiting for the Spartans to arrive. On the tenth day, the Athenians saw the Persian cavalry being embarked on ships, and took the opportunity of running down and defeating the inferior Persian infantry on the plain, caught without their cavalry protection. After this battle, the Athenians realised where the Persian cavalry was being shipped to - around to Athens to disembark and gallop up through the gates opened by traitors. The whole Athenian army - all 18,000 - ran over the hills the 26 miles back to Athens and formed up in front of the city just as the Persian cavalry was disembarking. Frustrated, the Persians re-embarked and went home. It is this run by the 18,000 after whom the Marathon run of today commemorates, not the already dead Pheidippides as is commonly claimed by peddlers of a 'good story'. The real story is far more interesting and evocative of admiration. The reality of the 9,000's feat is enhanced by the fact that they ran in sandals carrying armour, shields and weapons, and their staple diet was bread. Rather different and more challenging compared to the conditions of today's pampered athletes. But with their city, property and families as the prize, they had a compelling incentive as well as unrivaled guts.