Almost 2500 years ago at village of Marathon, north of the capital of Greece - Athens, Persian troops clashed in a bloody battle King Darius And Greek commander Miltiades. The Persians advanced, the Greeks defended. But the Greeks, with warlike cries, rushed at the invaders and began to crush them with swords and stab them with pikes... The Persians were confused and, despite the fact that there were many more of them, they fled.

The battle between the army of the Persian king Darius and the Greek commander Miltiades

Delighted Miltiades He called his fastest warrior and ordered him: “Run to Athens and report the long-awaited victory.” The messenger raced for more than 40 kilometers without a break from Marathon to Athens. Running into the market square of the capital, he managed to shout: “Rejoice, we won!”- and fell dead in front of the people. The legendary feat of the young Greek warrior went down in history. In memory of him, at the very first modern Olympic Games in 1896, a competition was held for an unheard of, ultra-long distance. The games took place in Greece, and the athletes ran along the same road along which the Greek warrior once ran. When they measured the distance between Marathon and Athens for the first time, it turned out to be 40 kilometers 200 meters, and checked later - it turned out to be 42 kilometers 195 meters. Now marathon runners run exactly this distance.

A Greek messenger runs from Marathon to Athens to report the victory of the Greek army over the Persians. There is another story that says

According to legend, the history of the longest race begins in the distant 490 BC e., when a Greek warrior named Pheidippides after the Battle of Marathon, he ran non-stop to Athens to convey the news of the Hellenic triumph. However, we owe this fact Plutarch, who, like all historians of antiquity, loved to add unnecessary things. In 1896, when it was decided to hold the first modern Olympic Games, the IOC specifically measured the actual length of the distance from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens; the length was 34 km 500 m - in 1896 and in 2004 the marathon at the Games was held at this distance.

During the first seven Olympic Games, the length of the race changed six times. Thus, at the 1908 Games in London, the length of the marathon course was changed from 25 miles to 26 miles 385 yards (42 km 195 m) so that the royal family could comfortably watch the race from the windows of Windsor Castle. However, the following competitions gave the marathon a mark of 40 km 200 m, and the Olympic Games of 1920 could already boast of 42 km 750 m.

Thus, the length of the distance was not constant and depended on the route chosen by one or another race organizer; Their fulcrum was the belief that all runners should cover the same route. Only in 1921 did the International Athletics Federation put an end to the discrepancies in classical running, establishing that distance marathon running equal to 42 km 195 m. After the length of the marathon was set at such a high level, many competitions in this discipline began to be held in the world.

The marathon, a discipline of athletics, is a race over a distance of 42 km 195 meters (26 miles 385 yards). The largest and most respected competitions are held on the road, but marathon starts on rough terrain and in extreme conditions are also known.
The road marathon has been an Olympic track and field discipline for men since 1896 and for women since 1984.
Half marathon distance, half marathon - 21 km 97.5 m is also a popular distance in road running, where individual races are held and world records are recorded.

Distance.

The length of the run was not initially fixed, since all that mattered was that all athletes ran along the same route. The exact length of the Olympic marathon depended on the route chosen at the respective Games.
The length was chosen quite arbitrarily. At the first Olympic Games it was equal to 40 km. The starting point for the 1908 London Olympics was moved from mile 25 to allow the Royal Family to view the race from Windsor Castle to 26 miles 385 yards (42 km 195 metres). At the next Olympics in 1912, the length was changed to 40.2 km, in 1920 a new change to 42.75 km. In total, at the first seven Olympics there were 6 different marathon distances from 40 to 42.75 km (40 km was used twice).
The final length of 42.195 km was established in 1921 by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) as the official length of the marathon.
Since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, the men's marathon has been the final event of the program. athletics with the finish at the main Olympic stadium, often several hours before closing or even as part of the Closing programme. Fidelity to this tradition was emphasized in 2004, when the marathon from Marathon to Athens ended at the Panathinaiko Stadium, where the very first Olympic marathon finished in 1896.

Nowadays it is very popular to run marathons, we recommend that you buy a hoodie - this universal item of clothing will help you in any weather. Comfortable sweaters will help you feel as comfortable as possible in any situation.

Competition rules

The rules for holding marathons are subject to general rules IAAF for road running. World records and other top achievements are recorded down to the second. The recommended elevation difference on a distance certified by the IAAF should not exceed 1/1000, that is, one meter per kilometer run. The distance must be measured with an accuracy of 0.1% (42 meters).
Marathon races in commercial marathons are usually run using a mass simultaneous start system. However, in fact, it is impossible for all participants to cross the starting line at the same time. Therefore, at AIMS-certified races, the organizers supply participants with special electronic chips that record the time they crossed the start line. For each finisher, not only the fact of finishing is taken into account, but also intermediate results, etc. “gross” and “net” time: from the moment of start and from the moment of crossing the starting line, respectively. The official time is “gross”.

World records

World records were not officially recognized by the IAAF until January 1, 2004; before that, statistics were kept on the “best marathon results.” The marathon distance must meet IAAF standards for the best performance to be recognized as a world record. However, marathon routes still differ greatly in profile, altitude and quality of surface, which makes the comparison insufficiently objective. As a rule, marathons that take place on flat terrain, low above sea level, in comfortable weather and with the participation of pacemakers (runners who set the pace of movement) are the fastest.
The world record for men - 2 hours 3 minutes 59 seconds - was set during the Berlin Marathon by Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie on September 28, 2008.
The world's best result among women was shown by Paula Radcliffe from Great Britain at the London Marathon on April 13, 2003 - 2 hours 15 minutes 25 seconds; this time is shown with the help of male pacemakers. The world's fastest time for a woman without a man - 2 hours 17 minutes 42 seconds - was also achieved by Paula Radcliffe at the London Marathon on 17 April 2005.
The marathon places serious demands on the physical condition of participants. In order to achieve high results, the organizers choose best time start and distance profile.
It is believed that the optimal temperature for a marathon is about +12°. Temperatures above +18° are already considered dangerous for some categories of runners, and at temperatures above +28° it is recommended to cancel the start. However, some competitions (for example, the Omsk Christmas Half Marathon) are held at significantly lower air temperatures (down to -39° in 2001).
Most of the world's prestigious marathons are held within large cities that suffer from air pollution problems. It is not advisable to start early in the morning, since it is in the morning that the concentration of smog at the surface of the earth is high and only with an increase in temperature it gradually rises with air currents during the day. The usual start time for commercial marathons in the morning is approximately 8:30-11:00 am.
When conducting marathons in the program of non-commercial competitions, the start time is tied to the general competition grid and the opening and closing ceremonies. In this case, the start can be given in the afternoon.
Famous marathon races
About 800 marathon races are held annually in many countries around the world.
The most popular and prestigious Boston Marathon, New York Marathon, Chicago, London and Berlin are included in the World Marathon Majors series, where they host World Cup stages for professional marathon runners. The number of participants at the start reaches 30 thousand or more people. Other famous marathons take place in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Washington, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Rome and Paris.
The world's largest marathon races pay high, by athletics standards, prize money to the winners. For example, the total prize fund for the Boston Marathon in 2008 was 796,000 USD, of which the winner is paid 150,000 USD.
Commercial marathons are open to almost everyone and all you need to do is go through a simple registration procedure. For amateurs, it is considered an honor to simply take part in such a prestigious start, together with leading athletes, joining the world athletics movement.

Marathon running is one of the most popular athletics disciplines. The first person to run the marathon was Pheidippides, a Greek messenger who, after defeating the Persians, was sent with a message to Athens to tell about what had happened. Legend has it that when he got there, he shouted "We won!" and fell dead.

The length of the marathon distance is 42 kilometers 195 meters - officially adopted in 1921 by the IAAF federation.

Marathon and Olympic Games

Marathon running has been included in the program of the modern Summer Olympic Games since 1896 and was first held in Athens. Initially, only men participated in the competition, and only in 1984 women were allowed to participate in this difficult discipline.

The fastest marathon runner is Kenyan Dennis Kimetto, who showed a phenomenal result at the Berlin Marathon on September 28, 2014, covering the distance in just 2 hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds.

Among women, the best result of 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds was shown by Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe on April 13, 2003 at the London Marathon.

Features of the marathon and preparation

Running on long distances requires the athlete’s body to be highly prepared not only physically, but also morally and volitionally. The main feature and problem of ultra-long distances is mental fatigue due to monotonous and constantly repeated actions.

In this discipline, temperature is an important component. So, if the air temperature is above 28 degrees, the start may be cancelled. The ideal temperature is 14-18 degrees, which allows the marathon runner’s body to function most favorably in terms of results.

Marathon running puts the greatest strain on cardiovascular system. Therefore, marathon runners have increased heart volumes relative to an untrained person. This also suggests that runners' heart rates are lower. Some athletes' heart rates drop below 45 beats, which is normal for a runner.

During the distance, the body wastes a large amount of water (about 4-6 liters) and energy substances. During the distance, body temperature rises. Therefore, along the route there are food points approximately every 5 kilometers. Products located at such points are artificially saturated with various substances that are actively wasted when running. The same applies even to water.

An important substance for marathon runners is glycogen, which accumulates in the muscles and serves as the best fuel. Another important element is hemoglobin, which is the reserve of oxygen in the blood. If the content of these substances in an athlete’s body is too high, he may not be allowed to participate in the race or be disqualified.

The number of calories burned every hour is 600-800 kcal/hour.

Preparation for a marathon usually takes six months. During this time, the athlete performs loads of varying degrees of severity and direction. For example, in one training session he can run the entire marathon distance, in another - 12 km at a fairly high pace.

In addition to physical activity, the preparation process also includes psychological preparation. The main goal is to develop the athlete’s strong-willed qualities at the subconscious level.

If we talk about preparing for long-distance running specifically, the program should include the following points:

• Long and short training during the week
• Rest
• Interval training
• Power training

The preparation process is not limited to running alone, but includes training in gym and even massage.

It follows from this that preparing for a marathon requires a high level of training. Moreover, not only physical, but mental and regulatory.

Best result in the marathon

The fastest marathon was achieved by the Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge, who completed the classic marathon distance in 2 hours and 24 seconds. The race was held as part of a promotion from the major sports equipment manufacturer Nike.

The goal of the race was for the athlete to be able to show a result of 42,195 meters in less than 2 hours, which no one had ever managed to do. But, alas, Eliud Kipchoge failed to show a historic result. He was separated from history by only 24 seconds, which on the scale of a marathon seems like an insignificant trifle. But in this case, even 1 second or a hundredth of it would ensure failure.

However, the result was better than the world record set by Dennis Kimetto - 2 hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds. But it will not be counted, since the race was held in special conditions created by a team of Nike specialists.

Firstly, the race took place on the Formula 1 track, although according to the regulations, marathon running takes place only on the highway.

Secondly, and more importantly, Eliuda Kipchoge, Zersenai Tadese and Lelisa Desisa were preceded by pace cars, which significantly reduced air resistance and made the job easier for the runners.

Thirdly, a car was driving nearby, on the roof of which a special stopwatch was installed, which showed the required pace to cover the distance in less than two hours.

The result shown in such conditions cannot be recognized as a world record, but, nevertheless, the attempt was worthy, and it was not enough.

An interesting fact is that Adidas is ready to improve the result, but according to the company’s representative, the race will take place in natural marathon conditions. And of course, Adidas has its own team of athletes who are preparing for the race.

Time will tell who will be the first marathon runner to break 2 hours. But for now we have the following:

My throat is dry and my breathing is clogged. My legs were tired and felt like they were filled with lead. In your ears, headphones with your favorite music, which always maintains energy in the body. You run automatically, not attaching importance to every step. After the finish there was great relief and satisfaction. You feel so light, as if you are about to take off. Breathing gradually returns to normal, becomes even and measured.

Anyone who has ever done long-distance running experiences approximately these conditions. Although “big” is a loose concept. For some, running even 1 km will be a feat. But we are now talking about distances of 10, 15 and 20 kilometers. It is in such races that you need good endurance.

But the very peak, which beckons with its unattainability, is the length of the marathon distance. This is the line that many recreational runners want to get closer to. But due to the serious preparation that is needed to overcome such a race, not everyone will be able to complete it. But still, how long is the marathon distance? It is 42 km and 195 m. This is exactly the distance that athletes run in order to then bear the honorary name of a marathon runner all their lives.

Where did this length come from?

To answer the question “what is the length of the marathon distance,” you need to turn to historical information. So, in 490 BC, a battle took place between the Greek army and the Persians. This took place near the ancient city of Marathon. To notify Athens that the Greeks had won, a messenger Pheidippides was sent, who ran a distance of 42 km and 195 m. He conveyed the good news and fell dead from exhaustion.

After a long time, the length of the distance was changed and adjusted several times. But in 1921, this particular figure was established and recorded by the International Amateur Athletics Federation. For many years, marathon races have been organized all over the planet, in which several thousand people participate at a time.

The sport of running is very popular among people. They are practiced for health purposes and to maintain tone in the body. It is accessible to every person who can move.

What does it take to run a marathon?

Before running a marathon, everyone must undergo a huge amount of training. In addition, you will need a strong desire and iron endurance. You need to run at least 10 km every day and, depending on your body, choose the right nutrition.

As a rule, preparing for a race is a whole system that is compiled individually for everyone. It includes:

• Diet and its quality. Meals should be time-controlled. Also, a separate system can be a diet, which implies a certain amount of substances for the body. Products are specially selected and the quantity of their intake is controlled.
• Training mode. He must effectively combine rest with load. The regime is one of the main components for proper preparation.
• Development plan. This is a schedule according to which the load is gradually increased in the form of an increase in distance.

Beginner mistakes

Many of those for whom the marathon distance has become a goal for the near future are starting to train. And, in order to improve their shape, they try to gain it too quickly. Such accelerations are very dangerous for health and can drive the body into a dead end. To prevent this from happening, you should remember the rule that all loads should be gradual. In no case should you force your training and try to run too long a distance without appropriate preliminary preparation. It is better to divide everything into stages and move from one small goal to another. Such planning will help an unprepared body adapt and withstand the load.

There are also many drugs and various stimulants that help the body activate energy reserves and increase endurance and strength. But abuse of such drugs is fraught with consequences on the body in the form of damage to the liver and other organs that suffer primarily from the drugs. They must be taken very carefully, under the supervision of an experienced physician. You should not hope that you know everything in this matter; you cannot rely only on yourself. An extra consultation never hurts.

Training program

If you are already used to training regularly, then the length of the marathon distance will no longer seem as scary as it might seem. But to conquer it, you need to start intensive training in 3-4 months. You can take advantage of the annual events in big cities when the race takes place on a certain date and prepare for them. Such organized races help athletes meet and communicate with each other. In addition, there are medals and certificates of commendation for participants that can be kept as souvenirs.

To start a targeted workout, you can use the “3+1” principle. In this case, you should run for 3 days in a row and rest for one day. Next, you need to increase the amount as you get into shape up to 5+1 or even 6+1.

The distance during each workout also needs to be increased gradually. It should be from 10 to 25 km. Also, not every day you need to run the same number of kilometers. You can increase within one cycle. For example, on the first day the distance is 10 km, the second - 15, the third - 20, the fourth - 25 and the fifth - 30 km. With such wave-like training, endurance is gradually developed. Also, the program must include acceleration training. In this case, the runner covers 1-3 km in acceleration, and then runs from 0.5 to 2 km at an average speed. This is necessary in order to have strength at a distance when there is an ascent along the route.

Marathon records

The world marathon record was set in 2014 by Kenyan Dennis Kimetto. He ran the distance in 2 hours 2 minutes and 57 seconds. He managed to beat Wilson Kipsang's marathon distance record by a whopping 26 seconds. Every year, new records begin to differ by only a few tens of seconds. This is due to the maximum capabilities of the human body.

Olympic Games

The marathon distance at the Olympic Games is one of the iconic events that usually ends the entire event. The race was one of the first to be included in the list of competitions. Often the marathon finish takes place at the stadium in honor of the closing of the Olympic Games. This has become a kind of tradition, which is supported at every event.

There is a special commission to certify the route along which the marathon takes place. According to the rules, there should be no lifts that exceed the maximum permissible deviations. There should also be no significant excess or shortfall of the distance.

Since the number of marathon runners is large, which makes it very difficult to record the start and finish, special electronic chips are used that are issued to each participant for his registration.

Organization of competitions at the Olympic Games

Race organizers usually use routes that are certified by the association. For this purpose, start and finish points are installed and equipped. Every 5 km of the run, toilets and bases with prepared water and food are installed for marathon runners, since covering such a distance is a serious test for the body. This is necessary to maintain water balance and replenish energy for athletes. There are also special workers who keep order; ambulances are on duty along the entire distance for emergencies.

Amateur competitions

There is also commercial organizations who organize marathons. All participants register and make a monetary contribution. At the same time, they are given a serial number. The results at such competitions may not be ratified by the international organization, since the number of meters of the marathon distance may differ from the established one. Among the popular races, unofficial ones are Los Angeles and which use a course with violations.

Conclusion

Conquering such a peak as the marathon distance is one of the goals of many amateur runners. And not every athlete succeeds in this. To do this you need to train a lot and have good strength will. There are many communities and fan clubs in the world that disseminate information and gather marathon participants from all over the world.

The marathon distance, whose history began in 490 BC, is not conquered by everyone, as already mentioned. But those who overcome it prove by their example how resilient a person can be.

That’s probably all there is to it regarding the length of the marathon distance. But you should not think that 42 km and 195 m are the distance that is the maximum length. Human possibilities are truly limitless.

As everyone knows, running distances are logically divided into short, medium and long. The discipline of ultra-long distance running stands a little apart.

Short distance sprint races do not exceed 400 meters. In medium distance running up to 3,000 meters, may include a variety of disciplines, including steeplechase. Engaging exclusively in short-distance sprinting is the lot of Olympic professionals due to its specificity.

Long distance running

We are interested in long-distance running, which, according to generally accepted opinion, begins after 3 km, or rather, 2 miles = 3,218 meters. However, we all love marathons to category long distance running are not officially included because they are not held at the stadium, but in the open air. Therefore, the classic marathon distance 42 km 195 m It's simply called a "marathon".

Popular long-distance running disciplines included in the programs of the Olympic Games and World Athletics Championships are 5 000 And 10,000 meters. Please note that running distances for which competitions are held inside the stadium are usually measured in meters. At the same time, such outdoor races are measured in kilometers.

When the conversation turns to starting running, what we mean is distance running. Up to participation in amateur marathons. It is thanks to him that we radically change our lifestyle and with our feet we create excellent conditions for the healing of the whole body. Long-distance running is of interest to anyone who struggles with excess weight, stress, or strengthens their cardiovascular system and immunity. Sometimes it is simply called - long run.

Marathon. History, distance and rules

The meaning of the word “marathon” comes from the name of the Greek city of Marathon in Attica and is associated with the legend of a Greek warrior who ran to Athens with news of victory. However, according to historians who dug up documentary sources, this was not entirely true and not quite there.

But this did not stop us from including the marathon as a discipline in Olympic Games and hold the first official race along the Marathon-Athens route in 1896. True, this distance fits into 34.5 km. In general, the distance of the first marathons varied quite a lot, both downward and upward. And only in the 1920s did it settle down and was officially accepted as 42.195 km.

Modern rules dictate that the marathon is held on asphalt roads. But there are a huge variety of cross-country races, sometimes with quite difficult terrain and in extreme conditions, also called marathons. Even though the distance may differ greatly from the generally accepted one.

Half marathon

There is another one of the most popular distances - half marathon. Accordingly, this 21 km 97.5 m. The half marathon is one of the milestones in the training of amateur runners, who just a few months ago could not run even a kilometer.

At almost any running competition, half marathons are also held in parallel with the marathon for those who find it too difficult to run the full distance. Among runners, a half marathon is simply called half.

Ironman triathlon running

The marathon is an integral third element of extreme triathlon competitions Ironman. Accordingly, after a 3.8-kilometer swim (sometimes in icy water) and after a 180-kilometer road cycling race, in order to bear the title of “iron man”, you still need to run 42 kilometers. A good result will be if you do it within 12 hours. But for starters, it would be great to even get to the finish line.

Ultramarathon

Special running discipline - ultramarathon. There are no clear restrictions: anything over 42.195 km is an ultramarathon. And although the most frequent competitions are held at distances 50 And 100 km, often ultramarathons are first laid out on the map, and then they look at how many it turned out to be. The duration of such titanic tests can last more than one day, and in the most unsuitable conditions for this.

Almost all ultramarathons are closely related to such a discipline as trailrunning, because most of the routes run over rough terrain.

After the first purposeful and conscious run in your life, it’s hard to resist setting sports goals. And if at least one of them is achieved, then the person can no longer be stopped. And that's great. But if running has an exclusively health-improving purpose, then you shouldn’t once again cross the line of your capabilities and throw yourself headlong into extreme loads.