Marathon

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[edit] Introduction

A marathon is a long distance running event where an athlete must run 26 miles and 385 yards. There are 1000's of marathons held in the world each year. It is a very difficult event and runners should practice running many miles before they compete.

[edit] History

In 390 B.C. there was an important battle in Greece. There was an army from Persia that came to fight the army from Athens. The battle was held at a place called Marathon. The army from Athens was not expected to win, but they did. After the victory, they sent their best runner, a man named Pheidippides back to Athens to tell everyone the good news. He ran the 25 miles back to town.

In 1896 the first modern Olympics was held. They had a race call the Marathon. It was about 25 miles. Today the race is set at 26 miles and 385 yards. That is about 26.2 miles.

The most famous marathon in the world is the Boston Marathon. It is held every year in April in Boston, Massachusetts.

If a race is longer than 26.2 miles it is called an ultramarathon.