Ancient Greece and the History of the Marathon

Ancient Greece is one of the most fascinating civilizations in human history, known for its many contributions to art, philosophy, science, politics, and sports. Located in southeastern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea, ancient Greece was not a single unified nation but rather a collection of city-states known as “poleis,” each with its own government and culture. Among these city-states, Athens and Sparta were two of the most prominent.

One of the most enduring legacies of ancient Greece is its athletic traditions, which included events like foot races that eventually inspired modern sports competitions, including the Olympic Games. The (marathon) race is one such tradition, with deep historical roots tied to an important event in Greek history: the Battle of Marathon.

The Battle of Marathon: A Turning Point in History

The history of marathon (running) starts more than 2,500 years ago, during the Greco-Persian Wars. In 490 B.C.E., Persia, one of the most powerful empires at the time, invaded Greece, aiming to punish Athens and other Greek city-states for supporting uprisings against Persian rule in Ionia, modern-day Turkey.

The Persian army landed on the plain of Marathon, about 26 miles northeast of Athens. Despite being vastly outnumbered, the Athenians decided to fight rather than surrender their fledgling democracy. Led by Miltiades, the Athenians devised a clever strategy. They went into battle with a weak center line and strong flanks. When they attacked, the groups on the flanks were able to overwhelm the soldiers in front of them, then come together and attack the Persians at the center from behind. The Athenians managed to encircle their enemies and achieve a stunning victory despite their smaller numbers.

The victory at Marathon was significant because it marked one of the first major defeats for Persia and demonstrated that a smaller but determined force could stand up against a much larger empire. It also preserved Athenian citizenship at a time when their democracy could have been destroyed forever.

The Legend of Pheidippides

The connection between this historic battle and today’s marathon race comes from an ancient legend about an Athenian soldier named Pheidippides, sometimes spelled Philippides. According to tradition, after the Greeks won at Marathon, Pheidippides ran all the way from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of their victory. When he arrived in Athens, he reportedly shouted, “We have won!” before collapsing from exhaustion and dying on the spot. While historians debate whether this story is entirely true, it has become an iconic tale symbolizing endurance and sacrifice.

How Did Marathons Become Modern Races?

Nearly 2,400 years after Pheidippides’s legendary run, in 1896, the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens. The organizers of this event decided to include a long-distance race called the marathon, meant to honor Pheidippides’s journey from Marathon to Athens. The original Olympic marathon covered about 25 miles, following what people believed was close to Pheidippides’s route. However, during the London Olympics in 1908, organizers adjusted the distance so that it would start at Windsor Castle and finish at White City Stadium, a total length of exactly 26 miles and 385 yards. This became the official standard distance for marathons worldwide.

Fun Facts About Marathons

• The Boston Marathon, first held in 1897, is the oldest annual marathon in the world. It has become one of the most prestigious races globally and requires participants to qualify for the race by running another marathon within a specific time limit.
• The fastest official marathon time for men is 2:00:35, a record set by Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. For women, Ruth Chepngetich of Kenya holds the record with a time of 2:09:56, achieved at the 2024 Chicago Marathon.
• British runner Fauja Singh completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon at age 100 in 2011, making him the oldest finisher on record. At the other end of the spectrum, Budhia Singh of India reportedly completed a marathon at just 3 years old.

• The Battle of Marathon
• The Invention of the Marathon
• The Battle of Marathon and its Contribution to the Rise of Athens
• 125th Boston Marathon Facts and Storylines
• The First Marathon
• Causes Behind the Battle of Marathon
• Greek Dual Citizenship
• Behind the Marathon
• Battle of Marathon
• The Story of Marathon
• Greek Golden Visas
• Why Is a Marathon 26.2 Miles?
• How the 1904 Marathon Became One of the Weirdest Olympic Events Ever

This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian