How Many Miles Is A Marathon
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No two marathons are the same, but they all share one defining characteristic — they are 26.2 miles long! A marathon is one of the oldest and most widely recognized distance races in the world. It is essentially the same distance as it was first run in Ancient Greece: 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 kilometers).
The first marathon was run in 490 BCE, when the messenger Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the Athenian victory over the Persians. The fact that the distance between the two cities is roughly 26 miles is what determined the length of the modern marathon.
For the Olympic and World Championships, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) mandates a specific course length of 42.195 kilometers (26.21875 miles). This distance is kept the same for all marathons, including all major events at the Olympics and World Championships.
However, some courses are slightly shorter or longer than the traditional distance for various reasons. This is especially true for marathons held on hilly terrain, which often have an uphill grade that take runners further than the traditional distance.
What makes the marathon so unique is that it is open to participants of all ages, races, genders, and abilities. From professional athletes to those just starting out, anyone can participate in a marathon. With its challenging distance, it is considered one of the most rewarding experiences a runner can do — both physically and mentally.
No matter the distance, the essence of the marathon remains the same: 26.2 miles of adventure and triumph, a journey of mental and physical strength across the world.