History of Marathons

The marathon's history shows that this world-famous race emerged from multiple historical elements which combined mythological and symbolic aspects with spontaneous choices. The legendary messenger run served as inspiration for the race concept although it never existed as an Olympic competition during ancient Greek times. The 1896 Olympics transformed this myth into a physical competition which established the marathon as a worldwide recognized event. The distance of 26.2 miles emerged from the 1908 London Olympics instead of following any ancient tradition.

The marathon developed through three main elements which demonstrate how human experiences and national feelings and practical decisions combine to create major traditions. The project demonstrates how historical events merge with mythological elements to form modern-day celebrations and explains why the marathon endures as a symbol of perseverance and determination and personal achievement.