what is a marathon?

Answer 1

A race that runs a little more than 26 miles. Named in honor of a run done in an ancient Greek war when a runner ran that distance to bring news of a defeat, or was it a victory in some war to the Leader of that era.

Answer 2

There is more info in Wikipedia. I found this interesting. There is much more.

The name, "marathon", comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek soldier, who was sent from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been miraculously defeated in the Battle of Marathon. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping, but moments after proclaiming his message to the city he collapsed dead from exhaustion. The account of the run from Marathon to Athens first appears in Plutarch's On the Glory of Athens in the 1st century AD who quotes from Heraclides Ponticus' lost work, giving the runner's name as either Thersipus of Erchius or Eucles. Lucian of Samosata (2nd century AD) also gives the story but names the runner Philippides (not Pheidippides).

When the idea of a modern Olympics became a reality at the end of the 19th century, the initiators and organizers were looking for a great popularizing event, recalling the ancient glory of Greece. The idea of organizing a Marathon race came from Michel Bréal, who wanted the event to feature in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens.

The women's marathon was introduced at the 1984 Summer Olympics (Los Angeles, USA).

Answer 3

its a race that lasts 26 miles 385 yards take from the grrek which was marathon to athens ithink

Answer 4

A marathon is a 26.2 mile race.

It also could be a series shown on TV in order without stoppage.

Answer 5

Its a sport that includes runung it is running

Answer 6

One hell of a calorie burning activity...

Answer 7

26mile torture chamber

Answer 8

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