Have you ever wondered why a marathon is exactly 26.2 miles long? It’s a very specific, and somewhat quirky, distance, isn’t it? Well, buckle up, because the answer takes us back thousands of years and involves a bit of royal convenience!
Our story begins in ancient Greece, around 490 BC. The legend tells of a Greek soldier, Pheidippides, who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to deliver news of victory against the Persians. He covered approximately 25 miles, shouted “Nike!” – meaning victory – and then, tragically, collapsed and died.
When the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, they wanted to honor this incredible feat. So, they created a new event: the marathon! The course for that first Olympic marathon was roughly 24.8 miles, or 40 kilometers, mirroring the legendary route.
But then came the 1908 London Olympics, and this is where the exact 26.2 miles comes in. The race was supposed to start at Windsor Castle and finish at the Royal Box in the White City Stadium. Why Windsor Castle? Well, it was decided that the start should be on the East Lawn of Windsor Castle so that the royal family’s children could witness the beginning of the race.
This specific route, from Windsor Castle to the Royal Box, measured precisely 26 miles and 385 yards. That’s 42.195 kilometers! The dramatic finish, with the Italian runner Dorando Pietri collapsing multiple times just before the finish line, made the event incredibly famous and cemented this particular distance in public consciousness.
Eventually, in 1921, the International Amateur Athletic Federation, now known as World Athletics, officially standardized the marathon distance to this very specific 26 miles, 385 yards. So, every time a runner tackles that iconic 26.2 miles, they’re not just pushing their limits; they’re running a distance steeped in ancient legend and a charming bit of royal history!