The concept of competition between individuals traces back to the origins of human existence. Likely the earliest form of competition was racing, whether it be an attempt to garner food from a nearby tribe or less aggressive types of rivalries. These initial competitions needed nothing more than the use of our own two feet! You might think that running marathons is beyond your reach. While that might not entirely be the case, this isn’t a motivational speech. The word “marathon” itself has roots in Greek history. The Greeks triumphed over the Persians on the plains of Marathon. It was in this place where the Greek runner, Phidippides, made a grueling 26-mile run from Marathon to Athens to relay the news of the Persian’s defeat, tragically succumbing to exhaustion shortly afterwards. The measurement and time of marathons have been a topic for discussion since then, but are commonly standardized at about 26 miles (around 40 kilometers). We are about to embark on an exploration of intriguing history and meet some remarkably determined runners. Here are 25 interesting marathon facts you likely weren’t aware of!
Featured Image: Josiah Mackenzie via Flickr