Why is the marathon 42km long?

Answer 1

Legend has it that Pheidippides, a soldier in the Greek military, ran from Marathon to Athens with the news that the Greek military had defeated the Persians in the Battle of Marathon. Supposedly Pheidippides collapsed and died after giving the news. No documentation has been discovered concerning this and it is really not known whether this actually happened or whether it is true legend/folklore. The distance between Marathon and Athens was around 40 km.

Answer 2

Something to do with a scout running from marathon to Athens if I remember correctly. That's the distance between the two.

** actually it is the length it is because it commemorates the victory of the Athenians over the Persians on the plains of Marathon about 25 miles north of Athens.

Answer 3

The original Marathon was during an ancient Greek war. A messenger delivered a message after running 26 miles, then died.

Read more: Why_are_marathons_42_kilometres_long

Answer 4

Its only 42 kilometers (26 miles). It perspective of how you define "long".

Answer 5

Because when teh Marathon a greek runner ran that length back to the other to inform them of the 'nike' of victory.

Answer 6

To celebrate the running of a slave to the city Marathon.