What are the origins of the Olympic marathon?
Modern Olympics marathon The idea of a marathon race came from Michel Bréal, who wanted the event to feature in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. This idea was heavily supported by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, as well as by the Greeks.
How did marathon become 26.2 miles?
The short answer is that marathons are set at 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) because the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF) officially adopted that in 1921. What’s indisputable is that the marathon began at Windsor Castle and ended in the Olympic Stadium in front of the royal box.
Why is the marathon 42.2 km?
According to the Greek IOC member Alexander Merkati, this was the correct course length (probably because this is the distance run at the 1906 Olympic Games in Athens). Due to the local conditions at the 1920 Olympic Games in Antwerp, the marathon distance was extended to 42.750 km.
When did the Olympic marathon distance change?
The Modern Marathon In order to complement the first Olympic Games in 1896 as well as Greek legend, the first Boston Marathon was only 24.8 miles. The distance changed to 26.2 miles following the 1924 Paris Olympic Games to align with the new standard. And it has been that way ever since.
Why is a marathon 26 miles?
As the story goes, Queen Alexandra requested that the race start on the lawn of Windsor Castle (so the littlest royals could watch from the window of their nursery, according to some accounts) and finish in front of the royal box at the Olympic stadium—a distance that happened to be 26.2 miles (26 miles and 385 yards).
How miles is a 5K?
A 5K run is 3.1 miles. Don’t be daunted by the distance.
Who decided a marathon is 26.2 miles?
Why is the marathon 26 miles and 385 yards?
For the 1908 London Olympics, the course was laid out from Windsor Castle to White City stadium, about 26 miles. However, to locate the finish line in front of the royal family’s viewing box, an extra 385 yards was added inside the stadium. Hence the marathon tradition of yelling “God save the Queen” in the last mile.
How do marathons measure distance?
But the only way to know for sure that a marathon course is precisely 26 miles, 385 yards is to call upon official measurers, like Cundy and Seton. The idea is to slowly ride a bike over the marathon course, measuring distances with a device, a Jones counter, which keeps track of each revolution of the bicycle’s wheel.
What is the distance of marathon race?
The longest race on the Olympic programme, athletes run a distance of 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195km). The event takes place on the road and the finishing order of the race is determined by time. Refuelling stations appear every 5km on a marathon course for the athletes.
How did a marathon get its name?
The name Marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. The legend states that he was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon (in which he had just fought), which took place in August or September, 490 BC.