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 marathon running distance 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.
Ancient Greek vase runners (circa 530 BC)
Quarter marathon distance, quarter marathon, is not an official discipline athletics, however, this distance has been actively attracting interest since the beginning of the 2010s in the world amateur running. Quarter marathons are held in parallel with marathons within the framework of traditional marathons and half marathons.
Story
Antiquity
According to legend, a Greek warrior named Pheidippides (according to other sources - Philippides) in 490 BC. e. after the Battle of Marathon, he ran without stopping from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory of the Greeks. Having reached Athens, he managed to shout: “Rejoice, Athenians, we have won!” and fell dead. This legend is not confirmed by documentary sources; according to Herodotus, Pheidippides (Greek. Φειδιππίδης ) was a messenger unsuccessfully sent for reinforcements from Athens to Sparta and covered a distance of 230 km in less than two days. The legend that he ran from Marathon to Athens first appeared in Plutarch's essay "The Glory of Athens" in the first century AD (more than 550 years after the actual events).
Modernity
The International Olympic Committee in 1896 measured the actual distance from the Marathon battlefield to Athens; it turned out to be equal to 34.5 km. At the first modern Games in 1896 and at the 2004 Games, the marathon actually took place along a distance laid from Marathon to Athens.
The idea of organizing such a race was proposed by the French philologist Michel Breal, who wanted this discipline to be introduced into the program of the first Olympic Games of modern times in 1896 in Athens. This idea was supported by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, as well as its Greek organizers. The first qualifying marathon was held in Greece, in which Charilaos Vasilakos won, running the distance in 3 hours and 18 minutes. To the great delight of the Greek public, Spyridon Louis, the Greek water carrier who finished fifth in the qualifying run, became the winner at the first Olympic Games with a time of 2 hours 58 minutes 50 seconds. Even stopping along the way to drink a glass of wine offered by his uncle near the village of Chalandri did not stop the legendary runner. The women's marathon was first introduced into the program of the Summer Olympic Games (Los Angeles, USA) in 1984.
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 of the distance was chosen quite arbitrarily. At the first Olympic Games it was equal to 40 km. The starting point for the race at the 1908 London Olympics was moved from 25 miles to 42 km 195 meters to royal family could comfortably watch the race from the windows of Windsor Castle. At the next Olympics in 1912, the length was changed to 40.2 km; in 1920 there was 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 as the official length of the marathon race in 1921 by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (now IAAF).
Olympic tradition
Since the first modern Olympic Games (1896), the men's marathon has been the final event of the athletics program, finishing at the main Olympic Stadium, often hours before closing or even as part of a closing program. Fidelity to this tradition was emphasized in the year when the marathon from Marathon to Athens ended at the Panathinaikos Stadium, where the very first finished olympic marathon in 1896.
Rules
General
The standard for the competition is the rules developed by AIMS and gradually adopted by the IAAF. Thus, the rules for holding marathons are subject to general rules IAAF for road running. World records and others highest achievements recorded down to the second. The recommended elevation difference at a distance certified by the IAAF should not exceed 1/1000, that is, one meter per 1 kilometer of distance. If the elevation difference is more than 42 meters, then all results shown in this marathon are unofficial and world records cannot be ratified. The most famous marathons that do not meet IAAF standards due to large elevation changes are the Boston Marathon (136.29 m) and the Los Angeles Marathon (121.94 m). The length of the distance should not be less than 42,195 meters, and also no longer than 0.1% (42 meters).
Races in commercial marathons are usually run using a mass simultaneous start system. However, it is impossible for all participants to actually cross the starting line at the same time; this takes several minutes. 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. IN summary table The results are arranged in ascending order. Gross time is the official time. The participant’s diploma may also indicate “net” time.
World records
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 men's world record of 2:01.39 was set during the Berlin Marathon by 33-year-old Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge on September 16, 2018.
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 best result among women without the participation of male pacers, 2 hours 17 minutes 1 second, was achieved by Kenyan Mary Keitany at the London Marathon in 2017.
10 fastest marathon runners
Men
| Time | Name | Country | Date | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:01:39 | Eliud Kipchoge | Kenya Kenya | September 16, 2018 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:02.57 | Dennis Kimetto | Kenya Kenya | September 28, 2014 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:03.03 | Kenenisa Bekele | Ethiopia Ethiopia | September 25, 2016 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:03.13 | Emmanuel Mutai | Kenya Kenya | September 28, 2014 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:03.13 | Wilson Kipsang | Kenya Kenya | September 25, 2016 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:03.38 | Patrick Makau | Kenya Kenya | September 25, 2011 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:03.46 | Guye Adola | Ethiopia Ethiopia | September 24, 2017 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:03.51 | Stanley Biwott | Kenya Kenya | April 24, 2016 | London Marathon |
| 2:03.59 | Haile Gebrselassie | Ethiopia Ethiopia | September 28, 2008 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:04.00 | Mosinet Geremeu | Ethiopia Ethiopia | January 26, 2018 | Dubai Marathon |
Women
| Time | Name | Country | Date | Marathon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2:15.25 | Paula Radcliffe | United Kingdom United Kingdom | April 13, 2003 | London Marathon |
| 2:17.01 | Mary Keitany | Kenya Kenya | April 23, 2017 | London Marathon |
| 2:17.56 | Tirunesh Dibaba | Ethiopia Ethiopia | April 23, 2017 | London Marathon |
| 2:18.11 | Gladys Cherono | Kenya Kenya | September 16, 2018 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:18.31 | Vivian Cheruiyot | Kenya Kenya | April 22, 2018 | London Marathon |
| 2:18.34 | Ruthie Yeah | Ethiopia Ethiopia | September 16, 2018 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:18.47 | Catherine Ndereba | Kenya Kenya | October 7, 2001 | Chicago Marathon |
| 2:18.58 | Tiki Gelana | Ethiopia Ethiopia | April 15, 2012 | Rotterdam Marathon |
| 2:19.12 | Mizuki Noguchi | Japan Japan | September 25, 2005 | Berlin Marathon |
| 2:19.17 | Rose Derezhe | Ethiopia Ethiopia | January 26, 2018 | Dubai Marathon |
Physiology and training
A constant pace and maintaining the amount of water in the body are the two most important conditions during the marathon. Along the marathon route (usually every 5 km) there are food stations offering runners water, energy drinks and food (bananas, dried fruits, etc.).
Even for a trained person, completing a marathon is the hardest physical activity, and preparing for it in advance is the most important condition for success. Sports societies that organize marathons have running schools that offer individual preparation for running a marathon or half marathon, depending on timing and health. Six months of preparation is the usual minimum recommended time. The purpose of training is to improve oxygen absorption, muscle condition, and, above all, accustoming the body to long-term physical activity.
London Marathon (2005). Runners at a food station
Running on long distances- an essential part of training because it prepares the body to use fat more efficiently and store fat large quantities glycogen in muscles. An amateur should not run a marathon distance in training: it requires too long a recovery. Typically, the longest distances at the end of training are no more than 35 km. About a month before the marathon, the pace of training is significantly reduced, and in the last week before the marathon, amateur runners are recommended to do only short (5-10 km) runs.
The average untrained person has about 380 g of glycogen (1500 kcal) in the body. Intense running can easily lead to the expenditure of 600-800 kcal per hour, and if these reserves are not replenished, after a couple of hours the body completely wastes them (the turning point usually occurs at the 30 km mark of the marathon), and blood sugar levels drop. This causes a sudden feeling of extreme fatigue and powerlessness, “running into a wall.” At this phase, the body switches to using fat reserves; this takes time, and fat is a less effective “fuel”. Training and special nutrition can raise glycogen stores to 800 g (3500 kcal). Most athletes use carbohydrate diet, and a large pasta dinner just the day before the competition is almost a tradition among marathon runners and triathletes. Some researchers recommend a normal diet with intense workout the day before the race.
The role of weather and start time
To achieve high results, it is advisable to choose best time start and distance profile. The optimal temperature for a marathon is about 14-16 °C. When the air temperature rises above 14-16 °C, the result worsens by an average of 40-60 seconds for each degree of increase in air temperature. Temperatures above 18 °C are already considered dangerous for some categories of runners, and at temperatures above 28 °C it is recommended to cancel the start. Overheating of the body is the main danger for a marathon runner. However, it must be remembered that high air temperature and solar radiation are far from decisive factors in overheating the body. The runner's thermoregulation is carried out by blowing the body and evaporating sweat - for this, special equipment, drinking during the distance, and the correct running tactics and strategy are used.
The start of most famous marathons is strictly tied to a date on the calendar and is known in advance. Usually his route is also constant. Although the weather is unpredictable in any case, the temperature of the event is determined by the time of year. Usually this is spring or autumn for the middle zone, for countries with a hot climate (for example, the Dubai Marathon in the UAE) - winter.
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.
Classification and competition calendar
There are different types of marathons:
Highlight extreme marathons - for example, races at the North Pole, in the desert, in the mountains and others. Marathon races are also held, in which sporting beginning is of secondary importance, and charitable and advertising purposes are pursued (eng. fun-run).
Competitions taking place on the highway, unlike stadium athletics disciplines, have their own schedule. Commercial marathons are mostly held in March-April and September-October, which coincides with the best weather conditions. In addition to the marathon race itself, the program of such competitions often includes races for athletes in wheelchairs and other cyclic sports disciplines.
In commercial marathons, as a rule, the start of the men's and women's races is held on the same day within one hour or even together. Depending on the organization of the competition, men's and women's program can be spaced out in time so that participants of different genders do not overlap. However, joint starts are also practiced, and then the problem arises of male pacemakers accompanying women from start to finish, which causes heated discussions among specialists.
The marathon is the only road running discipline included in Olympic program athletics. Unlike all other sports, it often happens that leading marathon athletes do not take part in the Olympic Games and major non-commercial competitions. This is due to a number of reasons. World-class marathon runners do not start marathons more than two or three times a year. Accordingly, they choose only certain competitions, and non-commercial competitions often do not fit into their schedule. For example, the Summer Olympics and World Championships are usually held in August, so athletes have to change their training schedule and entire training model. Another problem is the high temperature in summer, which does not allow marathon runners to perform at their best.
Famous marathon runs
European champion 2010, Swiss Victor Rothlin at the Zurich marathon (2007)
About 800 marathon races are held annually in many countries around the world. The oldest marathon in Europe is considered to be the Košice Marathon (Slovakia), which has been held since 1924. The most prestigious marathons are awarded a special status (label) by the IAAF: Gold, Silver and Bronze labels.
The most popular and prestigious Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Tokyo and Berlin marathons are part of the World Marathon Majors series and have a Gold Label. 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 ( Silver Label): Rotterdam Marathon, Amsterdam Marathon, Washington Marathon, Honolulu Marathon, Los Angeles Marathon, Rome Marathon and Paris Marathon.
The world's largest marathon races pay high, by athletics standards, prize money to the winners. So, for example, the general prize fund The Boston Marathon in 2008 was 796,000 USD, of which the winner is paid 150,000 USD. The winners of the Berlin Marathon among women and men in 2012 received $500 thousand.
For running fans it is considered an honor to simply take part in such a prestigious start together with leading athletes, joining the world athletics movement. However, some prestigious marathons are forced to hold a lottery among candidates due to the inability to accept everyone (New York and Berlin Marathons) or introduce qualifying standards for participants (Boston Marathon).
Marathons in Russia
About 50 marathons are held annually in Russia, about the same as in neighboring Finland. In general, the marathon movement in Russia lags far behind the world, given the number major cities, residents and marathon participants. The largest in terms of the number of finishers: Moscow Marathon, Moscow International Peace Marathon, White Nights and Siberian International Marathon. Siberian International Marathon entered the list 50 best marathons in the world according to AIMS in 2011 and at the end of 2011, the first of the Russian marathons received the status Road Race Bronze IAAF.
Famous marathon runners
Serious marathon running schools exist in the USA, Russia (USSR), Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan and many European countries.
Abebe Bikila (Ethiopia) and Waldemar Cerpinski (GDR) became two-time Olympic marathon champions. A unique achievement belongs to Emil Zatopek (Czechoslovakia), who in 1952 won three gold medals at distances of 5000 m, 10,000 m and the marathon. At the same time, he ran a marathon for the first time in his life. Quadruple Olympic champion Lasse Viren tried to repeat Zatopek's success this year, but finished fifth in the marathon.
- The 42 km 195 meter run is the third event in the Ironman triathlon competition.
- Multiple marathons are completed through competitive and non-competitive runs. For example, in 2003, Briton Ranulph Fiennes ran 7 marathons in 7 days in seven parts of the world and continents. By 2014, “7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days” had become a commercial product; the first female winner was Marianna Zaikova, Finland, in 2015.
- In 2010, Belgian Stefaan Engels decided to run a marathon every day of the year. After receiving an injury in January, he “reset” the score and started again on February 5, 2010. On March 30, he beat the achievement of the Spaniard Ricardo Abad Martinez, who ran 150 marathons in 150 days in 2009. On February 5, 2011, Stefan Engels ran his 365th marathon. “I don’t think the marathon was a year-long torture for me. It’s more of a regular job,” said the 49-year-old athlete. On average, he spent 4 hours per marathon, his best result was 2 hours 56 minutes. Ricardo Abad Martinez did not remain in debt. He ran 500 marathons in 500 days from October 1, 2010 to February 12, 2012.
- Johnny Kelly started the Boston Marathon 61 times from 1928 to 1992, finishing 58 of them and winning twice (1935 and 1945).
- On December 31, 2010, Alberta Canadian Martin Parnell, 55, a retired mine engineer, ran the marathon 250 times over the course of a year, covering 10,550 km, wearing out 25 pairs of running shoes, at times in temperatures below minus 30 o C.
- Spanish scientists have proven that marathon runners' bones are longer exposed to aging and destruction in old age.
- In 2003, Russian Sergei Burlakov took part in the New York Marathon and became the first quadruple amputee in the world to walk 42 km 195 m. Sergei had both legs and hands amputated.
- On May 6, 2017, in a race on the Formula 1 circuit in Monza, 2016 Olympic champion Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, with the help of a large group
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 exercise. 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 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 replenishing 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. Results at such competitions may not be ratified. 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.
