Why is the length of a marathon 26miles and 385 yards?

Answer 1

The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards),[1] that is usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens.

Answer 2

According to the historical accounts I have read, the distance of the marathon was changed to its current distance at the 1908 Olympics in London. The distance to be run was 26 miles but organizers decided they wanted the move the finish line to the Royal Box. That distance happened to be 385 yards. Afterwards, the International Olympic Committee formally adopted the 26 mile, 385 yard (42.195 kilometers) distance as official.

Answer 3

The length of a marathon was not fixed in 1908. When London was awarded the games, the race was advertised as about 25 miles or 40 kilometres. When it was decided to start the race near Windsor Castle, and run past Eton and Harrow (famous public schools), it was obvious that it would be more like 26 miles. Mile markers from the start were cemented in place before the stadium was finished, so although the course of the race was known, its exact distance wasn't. In the end it turned out to be 26 miles 385 yards, or 42.195 metres. The next two Olympics used different distances, but the London one became standard during a meeting of the IAAF in 1921.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

Because in 1908 when the marathon was ran in England the queen wanted to see the marathon go by her and so it was extended so it would go by her palace.

Answer 6

Because thats how long they believed they had to run