Marathon facts for kids
A marathon is a super long running race. Athletes run 42.195 kilometers (about 26 miles and 385 yards). It's a very tough event. Runners train for many miles before they try a marathon. Lots of marathons happen all over the world every year.
The Story Behind the Name
The name "marathon" comes from an ancient Greek battle. This famous battle happened in 490 B.C. It was fought between the armies of Athens and Persia (modern-day Iran).
The Athenian army was not expected to win. But they surprised everyone and won the battle! After their victory, they sent a special runner. His name was Pheidippides.
Pheidippides was sent to Athens to share the good news. He ran about 25 miles to deliver the message. Sadly, he died from exhaustion right after he arrived.
Marathons in the Modern Olympics
The first modern Olympic Games were held in 1896. A new race was created for these games. It was named the Marathon, to honor Pheidippides' famous run.
This first Olympic Marathon was about 25 miles long. Later, the distance was officially set. It became 42.195 kilometers, or 26 miles and 385 yards. This is the distance runners race today.
Images for kids
-
Competitors during the 2014 Orlen Warsaw Marathon
-
Aerial view of runner in the Kigali International Peace Marathon in Rwanda, 2019
-
Participant of the 2016 Boston Marathon, April 2016
-
Samuel Wanjiru raises his hand in acknowledgment of the crowd as he runs to a gold medal in the 2008 Olympic marathon
-
2007 Barcelona Marathon
-
Start of the 2012 Helsinki City Marathon
-
A pack of Wheelchair Division participants in the 2009 Boston Marathon
-
Kevin Counihan (right), of the Achilles Track Club, with his guide, running the 2011 Boston Marathon. He completed his 150th marathon at Boston in April 2014.
-
Start of the 2009 Stockholm Marathon
-
MoonWalk is a nocturnal charity marathon to raise money for breast cancer research.
-
A runner getting encouragement at Mile 25 of the Boston Marathon
-
Opportunity's traverse in 2015 as it approached the Marathon Valley, and the traveled distance of a traditional marathon (about 42 kilometres (26 mi))
See also
In Spanish: Maratón para niños
