42195

42195 is the metric distance of a standard marathon, equal to 42.195 kilometers or 26 miles 385 yards. It is commonly used as the numeric shorthand for the marathon distance in race results and training logs.

The distance originated with the 1908 London Olympic marathon. The course length was set so that the finish would be in front of the royal box at the White City Stadium, totaling 26 miles 385 yards. In 1921, the International Amateur Athletic Federation (now World Athletics) adopted 42.195 kilometers as the official marathon distance.

Official marathon distance is defined by World Athletics. Courses must be measured and certified to this distance; if a course deviates, times cannot be claimed as world records. Many city marathons are certified to this standard.

The 42195 distance underpins all official marathons worldwide. World records exist for men and women on standard courses; the men's record is 2:01:39 set by Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin 2018 (eligible record). The women's record is 2:14:04 by Brigid Kosgei at Chicago 2019. Additionally, Kipchoge's 1:59:40 attempt in 2019 Vienna was not eligible for record.

As a result, 42195 functions as the standard unit for the marathon distance in competitive athletics and related data.