The race takes its name from a place called Marathon in Greece, which was the scene of a battle between Athenian and Persian troops in 490 BC. The Athenians won and supposedly sent a messenger named Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens to spread the news - a distance of about 25 miles. It is said that Pheidippides dropped dead after delivering his message The current marathon distance of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195km) was first used at the 1908 Olympics in Britain. It was worked out so that the race from Windsor would finish in front of the Royal Box at the White City Stadium. This distance has been the standard for all marathons since 1924.
Marathon fact file
Hundreds of marathon races are held all over the world year. There is an Antarctica Marathon, Sahara even a night-time marathon, run in Marburg. Germany. The following are some of the biggest and most popular events.
Boston marathon
This race has been held since 1897 and is run on Patriots Day every April. It is the oldest marathon in the United States and one of the world's most important road races. Clarence DeMar every Marathon and won it a record seven times between 1911 and 1930.
New York City Marathon
First held in 1970, the race goes through all five boroughs of New York and finishes in Central Park. It is usually held on the first Sunday in November. Norway's Grete Waitz won the women's race an amazing nine times in the 11 years between 1978 and 1988.
Chicago marathon
The Chicago Marathon began in 1977. It was originally called Chicago Marathon the Mayor Daley Marathon after Chicago mayor Richard J. Daley who died in office in 1976. Khalid Khannouchi of Morocco won the men's race a record four times between 1997 and 2002.
London marathon
The London Marathon was first run in 1981. Since then it has become the world's most famous road race. Dionicio Ceron (Mexico) has won the men's race a record three times between 1994 and 1996. Norway's Ingrid Kristiansen won the women's race four times between 1984 and 1988.
Marathon record holders
The current male record holder is Paul Tergat (Kenya), who ran the Berlin Marathon on 28 September 2003 in 2 hours 4 minutes 55 seconds. The female record is held by Paula Radcliffe (GB). who ran the London Marathon on 13 April 2003 in 2 hours 15 minutes 25 seconds.
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