Video - The Marathon: A 2,500-Year-Old Tradition

Amazing History Facts They Don’t Cover at School. Did you know that the very first modern marathon was inspired by the ancient Greek soldier Pheidippides? He ran from the town of Marathon to Athens, a distance of about 26 miles, to deliver news of a military victory. Fast forward to 1896, the first Olympic marathon was held in Athens, and it followed the same route. This kicked off a global obsession with city marathons. Today, thousands of marathons are held worldwide, from the iconic Boston Marathon to the bustling New York City Marathon. And here’s a fun fact: the marathon distance was officially set at 26.2 miles during the 1908 London Olympics to accommodate the British royal family. So, next time you see marathon runners, just remember they're keeping a 2,500-year-old tradition alive! Have you ever run a marathon or thought about trying one? Let us know in the comments! And don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more striking stories!