History
The Marathon is 26.22 Miles and is the exact distance from the city of Marathon to the city if Athens in Greece. The legend goes that, following the Greek victory at the Battle of Marathon, Pheidippides was sent from Marathon to run to the Greek Assembly in Athens and proclaim the good news. He made it and, after shouting "We have won" he collapsed to the ground and died. The modern day race is based on this legend and has become the ultimate goal of runners across the world to finish.
The Olympic Marathon was a part of the first modern Olympic Games, for Men only, and remains the longest distance competed in the Modern Olympic games. The Women's marathon was introduced in 1984, the delay was the result of an antiquated notion that the long distance would have detrimental effects on women's health. There has not been an American champion since Frank Shorter won it in 1972 and Joan Benoit in 1984. In recent years the event has been dominated by the East Africans who have taken 5 of the last 9 medals in the event.
The Olympic Marathon was a part of the first modern Olympic Games, for Men only, and remains the longest distance competed in the Modern Olympic games. The Women's marathon was introduced in 1984, the delay was the result of an antiquated notion that the long distance would have detrimental effects on women's health. There has not been an American champion since Frank Shorter won it in 1972 and Joan Benoit in 1984. In recent years the event has been dominated by the East Africans who have taken 5 of the last 9 medals in the event.