What marathon means? Definition of marathon
1 : a footrace run on an open course usually of 26 miles 385 yards (42.2 kilometers) broadly : a long-distance race. 2a : an endurance contest. b : something (such as an event, activity, or session) characterized by great length or concentrated effort.
Why is it called marathon? History. The event is named after the legendary 26-mile run made by a Greek soldier called Philippides (also known as Pheidippides) from the scene of the battle of Marathon to Athens, where he announced the defeat of the invading Persians.
Why is a marathon 26.2 km?
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).Dhuʻl-H. 23, 1442 AH
Why is a marathon 42 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.