Go To Marathon
Marathon - Alabama to Michigan
Marathon - Minnesota to Wyoming
Marathon - Africa and Asia
Marathon - Europe Austria to Italy
Marathon - Europe Liechtenstein to Zurich
Marathon Races in Germany
Marathon Canada - Mexico
Marathon Australia and New Zealand
Marathon South America
A marathon is a long distance foot race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles 385 yards, or exactly 26 7⁄32 miles) that is usually run as a road race. Legend has it that the event is named after the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens.
The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896, though the distance did not become standardized until 1921. More than 800 marathons are contested throughout the world each year, with the vast majority of competitors being recreational athletes. Larger marathons can have over 30 thousand participants.
The New York City Marathon course runs through all five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world with over 30,000 finishers. Along with the Boston Marathon and Chicago Marathon, it is among the pre-eminent long-distance annual running events in the United States and is one of the World Marathon Majors.
The race is organized by NYRR (New York Road Runners) and has been run every year since 1970. In recent years. It is held on the first Sunday of November and attracts professional competitors and amateurs from all over the world.
Marathon Glossary
