Marathon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids AthleticsMarathon |
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Competitors during the 2017 Bratislava Marathon
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| World records | |
| Men |  Sabastian Sawe (KEN) 1:59:30 (2026) |
| Women | Mx: Ruth Chepng'etich (KEN) 2:09:56 (2024) Wo:  Tigst Assefa (ETH) 2:15:41 (2026) |
| Olympic records | |
| Men | Tamirat Tola (ETH) 2:06:26 (2024) |
| Women |  Sifan Hassan (NED) 2:22:55 (2024) |
| World Championship records | |
| Men | Tamirat Tola (ETH) 2:05:36 (2022) |
| Women | Gotytom Gebreslase (ETH) 2:18:11 (2022) |
The marathon is a super long foot race that covers a distance of 42.195 kilometers (about 26.22 miles). It's usually run on roads, but sometimes on trails. People can run the whole way or use a mix of running and walking. There are even special divisions for wheelchair athletes. Every year, over 800 marathons happen around the world! Many people who join are just doing it for fun, and big marathons can have tens of thousands of participants.
The idea for the marathon came from a story in Ancient Greece and was suggested by a French scholar named Michel Bréal. It became one of the first events in the modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. The exact distance wasn't set until 1921. The marathon is also a key event in the World Athletics Championships, which started in 1983. It's the only road running race in both of these major competitions.
Contents
History of the Marathon Race
The Ancient Greek Origin Story
The name Marathon comes from an old Greek legend about a messenger named Pheidippides. The story says that during the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, he saw a Persian ship heading towards Athens. He thought the defeated Persians might try to trick the city or attack it. So, he ran all the way to Athens without stopping, dropping his gear to be lighter. When he arrived, he shouted "we have won!" before collapsing and dying.
Historians aren't completely sure if this story is true. The ancient Greek historian Herodotus, who wrote a lot about the Greco-Persian Wars, mentioned a messenger named Philippides who ran from Athens to Sparta and back (a much longer distance of over 240 kilometers or 150 miles) to ask for help. Herodotus didn't mention a run from Marathon to Athens. Instead, he said the Athenian army marched quickly back to Athens after the battle to protect the city.
Later, in 1879, a poet named Robert Browning wrote a famous poem called Pheidippides. This poem helped make the legend popular and many people believed it was true. The path between Marathon and Athens has a mountain, Mount Pentelicus. This means the runner would have had to go around it. The route used for the first modern Olympic marathon was about 40 kilometers (25 miles) long.
The Modern Olympic Marathon Begins
When the modern Olympic Games started in 1896, people wanted an exciting event that reminded everyone of ancient Greece. Michel Bréal suggested the marathon race, and Pierre de Coubertin, who founded the modern Olympics, loved the idea.
The first Olympic marathon was held on April 10, 1896, and only men competed. A Greek water-carrier named Spyridon Louis won it in 2 hours, 58 minutes, and 50 seconds. The marathon at the 2004 Summer Olympics followed the traditional route from Marathon to Athens, finishing at the Panathinaiko Stadium, just like in 1896.
Women's marathon races were added to the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, USA. Joan Benoit from the United States was the first woman to win, with a time of 2 hours, 24 minutes, and 52 seconds.
It's a tradition for the men's Olympic marathon to be the very last event of the athletics competition, on the final day of the Olympics. Often, the marathon medals are given out during the closing ceremony.
The current Olympic record for men is 2:06:26, set by Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia at the 2024 Summer Olympics. For women, the record is 2:22:55, set by Sifan Hassan of The Netherlands at the same 2024 Olympics. Interestingly, the Kalenjin ethnic group from Kenya has produced many marathon and track-and-field champions.
Marathon Running Becomes Popular
The Boston Marathon started in 1897, inspired by the success of the first Olympic marathon. It's the oldest yearly marathon in the world and one of the most famous road races. Johnny Hayes' victory at the 1908 Summer Olympics also helped make long-distance running popular in the United States.
Later, in 1972, Frank Shorter's win in the Olympic marathon sparked even more excitement for running across the country. In 2014, about 550,600 people finished a marathon in the United States, compared to 143,000 in 1980. Today, marathons are held almost every week all over the world.
Women Join the Race
For a long time after the Olympic marathon began, women were not allowed to compete in long-distance races like the marathon. Even though some women, like Stamata Revithi in 1896, ran the distance, their results weren't officially recognized.
Arlene Pieper was the first woman to officially finish a marathon in the United States in 1959. Kathrine Switzer was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon with an official race number in 1967. However, her entry was initially seen as a mistake because of the rules at the time. Bobbi Gibb had run the Boston race unofficially the year before, in 1966, and was later recognized as the women's winner for that year and the following two years.
Marathon Distance Rules
The length of an Olympic marathon wasn't always the same at first. The early Olympic races were usually around 40 kilometers (25 miles), which was roughly the distance from Marathon to Athens. The exact length changed depending on where each race was held.
The modern standard distance for a marathon is 42.195 kilometers (about 26.22 miles). This distance was officially set by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) in May 1921. It was chosen because it was the length used at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London.
For a marathon course to be officially recognized for world records, it must meet specific standards. Officials measure the course very carefully to make sure it's at least the minimum distance.
Famous Marathon Races
More than 800 marathons are held globally each year. Many of these belong to the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), which has over 300 member events in 83 countries.
Some of the most famous marathons are in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York City, Tokyo, and Sydney. These are part of the World Marathon Majors series, which gives awards to the top male and female runners each year.
The Boston Marathon is the oldest yearly marathon, held since 1897. It celebrates Patriots' Day, linking the ancient Greek struggle for democracy with the American Revolution. Europe's oldest annual marathon is the Košice Peace Marathon in Slovakia, held since 1924. The Athens Classic Marathon follows the original 1896 Olympic route, starting in Marathon and finishing at the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens.
Some marathons are quite unique! The Midnight Sun Marathon in Tromsø, Norway, is held far north where the sun shines all night. There are also marathons at the North Pole, in Antarctica, and across deserts. Other special races include the Great Wall Marathon on the Great Wall of China and the Big Five Marathon among safari wildlife in South Africa.
Some marathons even cross borders! The Istanbul Marathon is the only one where runners go between two continents (Europe and Asia). The Detroit Free Press Marathon crosses the US/Canada border twice.
Wheelchair Division Races
Many marathons include a special division for wheelchair athletes. These athletes usually start their races earlier than the runners.
The first wheelchair marathon took place in 1974 in Toledo, Ohio. Bob Hall was a pioneer, competing in the 1975 Boston Marathon and helping to start wheelchair divisions in major races. The Boston Marathon even awards prize money to the winning push-rim athletes. Ernst van Dyk has won the Boston Marathon wheelchair division ten times and holds a world record for the fastest time in a wheelchair marathon.
Marathon Records and Achievements
The official world records for marathons were not recognized by World Athletics (formerly IAAF) until January 1, 2004. Before that, the best times were called 'world bests'. Marathon courses can be very different, with varying hills and surfaces, so comparing times can be tricky. The fastest times are usually set on flat courses, near sea level, in good weather, and often with the help of pacesetters.
The current men's world record is an amazing 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds! This was set by Sabastian Sawe of Kenya at the 2026 London Marathon on April 26, 2026.
The women's world record was set by Ruth Chepng'etich of Kenya at the Chicago Marathon on October 13, 2024. Her time was 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds. This was the first time a woman ran a marathon in under 2 hours and 10 minutes!
Oldest and Youngest Marathoners
People of all ages enjoy marathons! Fauja Singh, at 100 years old, finished the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011. He became the first person over 100 to officially complete the distance.
Johnny Kelley ran his last full Boston Marathon at the age of 84 in 1992. He had won the Boston Marathon twice before, in 1935 and 1945. He completed the Boston Marathon 58 times, which is a record!
In 2015, 92-year-old Harriette Thompson became the oldest woman to complete a marathon, finishing the Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon.
On the other end of the age spectrum, Budhia Singh, a boy from India, completed his first marathon at just five years old. However, officials later stopped him from running due to concerns for his safety and well-being.
Marathon Participation and Challenges
In 2016, over 500,000 people finished marathons in the United States. Marathon running has also become very popular in China, with the number of races growing rapidly.
Some runners take on incredible challenges, like running many marathons. The 100 Marathon Club is for runners, mostly from the UK or Ireland, who have completed 100 or more marathons. Steve Edwards set a world record for running 500 marathons with a fast average finish time.
Many people have completed a marathon in every state of the United States, plus Washington, D.C. Some have even run a marathon on each of the seven continents! In 1980, Terry Fox, who had lost a leg to cancer, ran across Canada in his "Marathon of Hope" to raise money for cancer research. He ran an average of over 37 kilometers (23 miles) for 143 days straight.
In 2003, British adventurer Sir Ranulph Fiennes completed seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, even after having heart surgery just a few months before! More recently, in 2024, Hilde Dosogne from Belgium ran a marathon every single day of the year, setting a new record for women.
Running a Marathon: Tips and Safety
Most people who run a marathon aren't trying to win. Their main goals are often to achieve a personal best time, or simply to finish the race. Some runners aim to finish under a certain time, like four hours for beginners or three hours for more experienced runners. Many major marathons, like the Boston Marathon, require runners to achieve a certain qualifying time to enter.
Marathon routes usually have a time limit, often around six hours, after which the course is closed. This is because roads need to be reopened for regular traffic.
Training for a Marathon
Training for a marathon involves a lot of long runs. Recreational runners often aim to run up to 32 kilometers (20 miles) in their longest weekly run and about 64 kilometers (40 miles) total each week. More experienced runners might train even more. It's important to gradually increase the distance to avoid injuries.
Most training programs last at least four to six months. They involve slowly building up mileage and then a period of "tapering" (reducing training) in the weeks before the race to allow the body to recover and store energy. It's always a good idea to get a checkup from a doctor before starting a marathon training program.
Before the race, many runners "carbo-load" by eating more carbohydrates. This helps their bodies store more glycogen, which is a type of energy.
Understanding "The Wall"
When you eat carbohydrates, your body turns them into glycogen and stores this energy in your liver and muscles. This glycogen provides quick energy for running. Your body can store enough glycogen for about 30 kilometers (18-20 miles) of running.
When your glycogen stores start to run low, your body has to switch to burning stored fat for energy. This process is slower, and runners often feel a sudden, dramatic fatigue. This is what runners call "hitting the wall". Training helps your body use energy more efficiently, so this feeling isn't as strong.
Many runners use special carbohydrate-based "energy gels" during the race. These gels provide quick energy that is easy to digest, helping to prevent or reduce the effect of hitting the wall. They should be taken with water. It's a good idea to try out different energy supplements during training to see what works best for you.
Staying Safe and Healthy
Marathon running can be tough on the body, so preparation and care are very important. Common minor issues include blisters, muscle soreness, and tendonitis.
It's very rare, but serious health issues can sometimes occur during a race. Studies show that the risk of serious heart problems during a marathon is very low, about 0.6 to 1.9 deaths per 100,000 participants. This risk is even lower for runners who train consistently.
Staying hydrated is crucial, but drinking too much water can also be dangerous. Drinking excessive amounts of fluid can dilute the sodium in your blood, a condition called exercise-associated hyponatremia. This can lead to problems like vomiting or feeling unwell. Experts recommend drinking when you feel thirsty and choosing sports drinks with electrolytes instead of just plain water.
Running in warm or humid weather increases the risk of heat stroke, which is when your body temperature rises too high. It's important to listen to your body and cool down if you feel overheated.
After a marathon, it's important to eat carbohydrates to refill your energy stores and protein to help your muscles recover. Some runners also find that soaking their legs in cold water helps with recovery.
Marathons for Charity
Many charities work with marathons to raise money. Some marathon organizers save a number of entry spots for charity groups. These groups then sell the spots to runners who agree to raise donations. This allows people to run in popular races even if general entries are full. Sometimes, charities even organize their own marathons to collect funds through entry fees or sponsorships.
Marathon Culture
The idea of a marathon is so powerful that it even reached space! In 2015, the Mars rover Opportunity traveled a distance equal to a marathon from its landing spot on Mars. The valley where it reached this distance was named Marathon Valley.
See also
In Spanish: Maratón para niños
- Half marathon
- Ultramarathon
- Boston Marathon
- New York City Marathon
- London Marathon
- World Marathon Majors
- Wheelchair racing
