What is the greek marathon?

What is a Marathon in ancient Greece?

The name “Marathon” (Μαραθών) comes from the herb fennel, called marathon (μάραθον) or marathos (μάραθος) in Ancient Greek, so Marathon literally means “a place full of fennels”. It is believed that the town was originally named so because of an abundance of fennel plants in the area.

What does Marathon mean in Greek?

The word marathon is the Greek word for fennel, which seems to have grown in the area and gave the battlefield its name. A dagger found at Marathon. Greece, 5th century BC.

What is the story of the Marathon?

The idea for the modern marathon was inspired by the legend of an ancient Greek messenger who raced from the site of Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 40 kilometers, or nearly 25 miles, with the news of an important Greek victory over an invading army of Persians in 490 B.C. After making his announcement, the …

What is the origin of the Marathon?

In a nod to Greek history, the first marathon commemorated the run of the soldier Pheidippides from a battlefield near the town of Marathon, Greece, to Athens in 490 B.C. According to legend, Pheidippides ran the approximately 25 miles to announce the defeat of the Persians to some anxious Athenians.

Why do people run marathons?

In 2018, the number of worldwide marathon finishers was. The most obvious reasons why people run them are the positive health and effects. While some people worry about the harms you can do to your body if unprepared, the overall health benefits tend to significantly outweigh any risks with proper training.

Why was marathon important to ancient Greece?

Marathon did not end the wars against Persia, but was the first turning point in establishing the success of the Greek, and specifically Athenian way, which would eventually give rise to all western culture as we know it. Thus, according to some, Marathon is the most important battle in history.


How long is a ten K?

What Is the Average 10K Time? A 10K race, which is 6.2 miles, is ideal for experienced runners who are looking for more of a challenge. It’s the second most popular race after the half marathon and requires a fitness level that balances strength, energy, and endurance.

Who ran the marathon in ancient Greece?

The story that everyone is familiar with is that of Pheidippides running from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce Greek victory, a distance of about 25 miles. But first he ran from Athens to Sparta, to gather Spartan troops to help the Athenians in combat against the Persians.

How long does it take to walk a marathon?

Many walkers set a goal of walking the 26.2-mile competition, which can generally be achieved in six to eight hours (or more) at a walking pace. While walking a marathon may not be as laborious as running one, dedicating yourself to proper training is essential to achieving this goal.

Is the marathon story true?

The story most people are familiar with when it comes to the origin of the marathon race is actually historically inaccurate. The legend is that Athenian runner Pheidippides ran back to Athens, proclaimed victory over the Persians, and died shortly thereafter.

Why is marathon called a marathon?

The event is named after the legendary 26-mile run made by a Greek soldier called Philippides (also known as Pheidippides) from the scene of the battle of Marathon to Athens, where he announced the defeat of the invading Persians. … The first women’s Olympic marathon took place at the 1984 Los Angeles Games.

What were Pheidippides last words?

In the long run, you may end up with a broken heart. Let me “run” something by you. Whoa, I forgot, that was the old Marathoner/100-mile Bicyclist/Half-Ironman Triathlon® -Me talking.

How did the marathon start in Greece?

In the 5th century B.C., the Persians invaded Greece, landing at Marathon, a small town about 26 miles from the city of Athens. … The traditional origin of the marathon comes from the story how a herald named Phidippides ran the 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory and died on the spot.

What does marathon stand for today?

Answer: a long distance race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres(26 miles 385 yards), usually run as a rode race.

Who invented the marathon?

The idea of a marathon race came from Michel Bréal, who wanted the event to feature in the first modern Olympic Games in 1896 in Athens. This idea was heavily supported by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympics, as well as by the Greeks.

How bad are marathons for your body?

In a hard race on a hot and humid day, marathon runners can lose up to four litres (seven pints) of fluid through sweating and exhalation. This puts them at risk of dehydration and hyperthermia, where the body’s temperature is greatly above normal.

What happens to your body in the 48 hours after a marathon?

During intense training, creatine kinase leaks into the bloodstream, rising about 12-48 hours post-workout. [6] Moderate levels of creatine kinase in the blood are normal. … And though creatine kinase levels tend to decrease after that 24-hour mark, they can remain elevated for six days post-race.

Is it OK to walk during a marathon?

Is it OK to walk a marathon? It’s completely OK to walk a marathon! Nowadays, it’s becoming more common for walkers to complete marathons. Many marathons allow for generous cut-off times and ensure support is provided for those marathoners who choose to walk the 26.2 miles.

Why was the Battle of the Marathon fought?

The Battle of Marathon was fought because the Persian Army wanted to defeat the Greek city-states that supported the uprisings in Ionia, part of modern-day Turkey, against the Persian Empire. … The Persian expeditionary force of Darius I was not large, perhaps numbering under 30,000.

What was the significance of Battle of Marathon?

The Battle of Marathon was significant because it proved to the Greeks that the Persians were not ‘invincible’, which boosted the moral of the Greek troops, increasing their confidence to incline themselves in a common cause if the Persian attacked again (which they would).

What was the Battle of Marathon and why was it important?

The ‘Clash’ At Marathon Shaped Greece, And The West Military historian Jim Lacey says the battle of Marathon, where the vastly outnumbered Greeks defeated the Persian army, had a profound impact on Western civilization, and opened an East-West political and cultural divide that shaped the ancient and modern worlds.

What is the 10k world record?

The world record for men is held by Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda in 26:11.00, posted at Valencia, Spain on 7 October 2020. For women, the world track 10,000-metre record is held by Almaz Ayana of Ethiopia in 29:17.45 to win gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics on 12 August 2016.

How many calories does a 10k run burn?

On average a 10K run will burn around 600 calories (around 100 calories per mile), however, to find out a more accurate figure and to better plan your workouts to maximise your calorie burn, you will need to take a few things into account.

Is running 10k in an hour good?

Most decent runners can do 10K under an hour. Actually this is considered pretty slow by most decent runners. I consider myself as an above average runner and even my slowest run would be significantly faster than this pace.

Did the first guy to run a Marathon died?

Pheidippides is said to have run from Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the victory of the battle of Marathon.

Pheidippides
Born c. 530 BC Athens
Died c. 490 BC Athens

How long did the Marathon guy run?

Every marathon that takes place today recalls the feats of a heroic messenger in ancient Greece, who ran not just 26 miles but 300 and accomplished this remarkable feat of endurance running in only three days.

Who yelled Nike?

Pheidippides ran 25 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory. When he arrived, he yelled, “Nike!” or victory. Then he fell dead, worn out by his run. Today, we remember what Pheidippides did in the modern-day 26-mile marathon run.

Can I run a marathon without training?

“Prepare for a long and painful recovery if you didn’t train properly,” Fierras says. “Running a marathon without training can send you to the hospital and cause muscle strains, stress fractures, and long-term joint damage.”

What is the fastest time someone ran a marathon?

10 Fastest Marathons on Record-Eligible Course: Men

Runner Finish Time Pace/Mile
Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:01:39 4:38.4
Kenenisa Bekele (Ethiopia) 2:01:41 4:38.5
Eliud Kipchoge (Kenya) 2:02:37 4:40.6
Birhanu Legese (Ethiopia) 2:02:48 4:41.0

How many calories does a marathon burn?

But for this article, we will use as a baseline estimation that an average marathon runner burns 2,600 calories over 26.2 miles. That translates to around 100 calories a mile, or approximately 500–700 calories an hour for a 4–5-hour run.

Who ran 26 miles?

As noble as this idea is, the folklore surrounding this ill-fated but important run aren’t complete. In fact, it is more likely that he ran a much greater distance than 26 miles. Here’s an overview of who Pheidippides was and the real details of the historic events surrounding his noble actions and also of his death.

Why are marathons 26.2 miles?

In 1908, the marathon, which stretched between Windsor Castle and White City Stadium in London, lasted 26.2 miles—all for the benefit of England’s royal family. It wasn’t supposed to be that way. Like previous races, the original event was supposed to cover a ballpark of 25 miles.

Why is Pheidippides called brave answer?

He is called brave because he risked his life to save Athens. The long marathon that he ran was life risking. Explanation: Pheidippides ran from Athens to Sparta to gather the Spartan armies to help fight off the Persians.

How painful is a marathon?

New research suggests 99.8 percent of people experience some level of pain during a marathon, with 80 percent experiencing an intense level. This may be due to injuries, hilly training routes, or high-intensity efforts during training could have carried over to the race day.

Can Usain Bolt run marathon?

Absolutely none. Because Usain Bolt would never run a marathon and no matter what conditions are at play. Eliud Kipchoge could dust Bolt in a Marathon even if he was barefoot in concrete.

How long can humans run?

Previous estimates, when accounting for glycogen depletion, suggest that a human could run at about a 10 minute per mile pace, which allows existing fat stores to be converted to glycogen, forever. The only limit to our eventual mileage, therefore, is our need for sleep.

How far did Spartans run?

The Spartathlon is usually held around late September. Runners have 36 hours to run 245 kilometres (152 mi), roughly the equivalent of six consecutive marathons, between Athens and Sparti, the site of ancient Sparta.

What did pan say to Pheidippides?

He ran 150 miles in two days. He then ran the 42 km (26.2 miles) from the battlefield by the town of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over Persia in the Battle of Marathon ( 490 BC) with the word “Νενικήκαμεν!” (Nenikékamen, We were victorious!) and died on the spot.

How many troops did Xerxes have when he invaded Greece in 480 BC?

The Greek army was led by Leonidas, who was estimated to have had around 7,000 men. Xerxes, on the other hand, had anywhere from 70,000 to 300,000.

Is the marathon part of the Olympics?

The marathon at the Summer Olympics is the only road running event held at the multi-sport event. The men’s marathon has been present on the Olympic athletics programme since 1896. Nearly ninety years later, the women’s event was added to the programme at the 1984 Olympics.

Who won the Battle of Marathon?

Battle of Marathon, (September 490 bce), in the Greco-Persian Wars, decisive battle fought on the Marathon plain of northeastern Attica in which the Athenians, in a single afternoon, repulsed the first Persian invasion of Greece.

How many steps do you take in a marathon?

If we use the average male step length of 30 inches, that means your marathon would take 55,374 steps to complete. For a woman, the average step length is 26.4 inches. That’s 62,926 steps. It’s worth noting, though, that stride length can vary greatly.