What is a Marathon?

The Marathon is a long-distance foot race with a standardized distance of 42.195 kilometers (26 miles 385 yards). It is inspired by the legend of Philippides, a Greek messenger who ran from Marathon to Athens.

The Distance

• Kilometers: 42.195 km
• Miles: ~26.2 miles
• Origin: The weird "385 yards" was added during the 1908 London Olympics so the race could finish in front of the Royal Box at Windsor Castle.

Why People Run Them

1. The Challenge: For many, finishing a marathon is a "bucket list" item that tests the limits of their physical and mental strength.
2. Community: Major marathons (London, New York, Tokyo) involve tens of thousands of runners and millions of spectators.
3. Achievement: Achieving a specific time (like Sub-3 or a BQ) is a major milestone in a runner's life.

Training Requirements

A typical marathon buildup takes 16 to 20 weeks.

• Weekly Mileage: Ranges from 30 miles (beginners) to 100+ miles (elites).
• The Long Run: The most important session, gradually increasing to 18-22 miles.
• Fueling: Training your gut to ingest 60-90g of carbs per hour is crucial.

The "Wall"

Most runners experience a severe drop in energy around mile 20 (32 km) as glycogen stores deplete. This is famously known as Hitting the Wall.

If you want to win something, run 100 meters. If you want to experience something, run a marathon. — Emil Zátopek