The marathon has been a part of the Olympics ever since its inception in 1896. But did the event start out as a recreational sport?
WITH many people embarking on a healthy lifestyle, some are keen on running, and even look towards running a full marathon.
But is it true that the marathon is a pastime sport in Greece?
Verdict:
FALSE
While many associate marathons with running and endurance, the name Marathon originated from the victory of Athens against the Persians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
Also, do note that Marathon is the town in Greece where the battle was fought.
The story is that an Athenian messenger named Pheidippides was sent from the battlefield to deliver the news of the victory.
It is said that after running non-stop for about 40km (25 miles) to the Acropolis, he burst into the assembly and shouted "Nike! Nike! Nenikekamen" ("Victory! Victory! Rejoice, we conquer!"), and then died on the spot.
When the modern Olympics Games was held in Athens in 1896, the organisers were looking for a great event that would recall the glory of ancient Greece. And the idea of the myth of Pheidippides and the Battle of Marathon came about.
The first Olympic marathon was held on April 10, 1896, and its winner was Greek runner Spyridon Louis, who ran from the Marathon plain to the Olympic stadium in Athens in two hours, 58 minutes and 50 seconds.
In May 1921, the standard distance of a full marathon was set at 42.195km (26.219 miles) by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF).
Today, while there are many marathons which consist of various categories - like a Full Marathon (42.195km), Half Marathon (21km) or even fun runs (5km or less), there are also ultramarathons that can go beyond 100km.
Whatever category of running you choose in a marathon, remember to train, stay strong and take one step at a time.
References:
1. https://www.exoticca.com/us/blog/greece-origin-marathon/
2. https://www.livescience.com/11011-marathons-26-2-miles-long.html
3. https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a20836761/the-real-pheidippides-story/
