Why is a Marathon 42.195 Kilometers Long?

Do you ever wonder why a marathon is 42.195 kilometers (26.2 miles) long, instead of a rounded number like 40-kilometers or even shorter?

To answer this, we go back to ancient Greece at around 490 B.C.

According to legends, the first event similar to the marathon we know today was carried out by the Greek soldier Pheidippides. During his time Greece and Persia were at war.  The Greek soldier ran 25-miles from the plains of Marathon to the city of Athens to tell his people that the Persians have lost. Upon his arrival he muttered the words “niki” or victory  before he collapsed and died.

(Photo Credit: Milo Philippines)

While its not the best story that can convince anyone to run a marathon, it surely has captured the hardships and the glory of finishing a marathon.

During the first modern Olympics in 1896, a long distance foot race was held to commemorate Pheidippides’ heroic run. The event was roughly 40-kilometers (24.85 miles) and was won by another Greek by the name of Spridon Louis who finished it at 2 hours, 58 minutes and 50 seconds.

So if the first few modern Olympics had it at only 40 kms, where did we get the extra 2.169 kilometers (1.35 miles) of a modern marathon? For that you have to thank the Brits.

(Photo Credit: LA Times)

During the 1908 London Olympics, the race organizers wanted the British royalty, especially King Edward VII, to witness the race. So they put the starting at Windsor Castle and made it end at the Olympic stadium some 26 miles away. They then added an extra 0.2 miles so that the race could finish in front of the royal family.

The 26.2 miles distance was then adapted by the International Association of Athletics Federation.

Fun Facts About Marathon in the Philippines

The First Long Distance Event

The first long distance race in the Philippines with a distance of 42.195 kilometers was held in 1967 and was participated by college students from Rizal Province.

However, it was not considered as a “standard” marathon because runners have to run the whole course in a four part series for two days. The first three stages were 10Ks (first day morning, first day afternoon and second day morning) and the last part was a 12.195K (second day afternoon).

First Filipino Marathon Champion

Benjamin Silva Netto, who later became  Secretary General of the Philippine Track and Field Association (Patafa) won all of the leg of that race and registered a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes and 49 seconds.

(Silva Netto (middle) with Olympians Maristella Torres and Rene Herrera PHOTO CREDIT: Phil Star)

The official first marathon was held during the 1968 National Track and Field Championships held at Roxas City. Netto won the event clocking in at 3 hrs, 37 mins and 23 seconds, thus earning the title of the first Filipino marathon champion. On the same year, he ran at the Mexico Olympics.

For more fascinating facts and stories about running continue reading Takbo.ph’s articles.