marathons

Marathons are long-distance road races with a standard distance of 42.195 kilometers (26 miles 385 yards). They are typically open to elite athletes and mass participants alike, and are organized by cities, charitable organizations, and national federations. International governance is provided by World Athletics, with additional oversight by national associations and the Abbott World Marathon Majors for the best-known races.

The concept traces to the legend of a messenger who ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens. The modern event debuted at the 1896 Athens Olympics and soon spread worldwide. Early races varied in distance until the 1921 IAAF Congress fixed the marathon at 42.195 km, the length used in Olympic competition thereafter.

Leading races in the sport are the World Marathon Majors: Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York City, and Tokyo. These events attract large fields, global media attention, and substantial prize money, and they serve as focal points for elite competition and mass participation. Berlin is noted for fast courses and frequent records; Boston is the oldest annual marathon; the others combine historical significance with strong community engagement.

Records: the men's world record is 2:01:09, set by Eliud Kipchoge in Berlin in 2022; the women's record is 2:14:04, set by Brigid Kosgei in Chicago in 2019. Training for marathons emphasizes aerobic development, high weekly mileage, long runs, and structured workouts, with attention to injury prevention and fueling strategies for race day.

Participation has grown into a widespread athletic and charity activity, drawing runners of diverse ages and abilities and contributing to local economies and urban culture.