The marathon, a challenging long-distance running race, originated in ancient Greek legend. It is said that in 490 BC, when the Persian army invaded Greece, the Athenians sent a soldier, Pheidippides, to carry a message from Marathon to Athens with news of the Athenians' success in defeating the Persian army. Pheidippides ran 240 kilometers and eventually collapsed on the ground from exhaustion, but he succeeded in his mission and became a legend. Since then, the marathon, a long-distance running race, has gotten its name.

Marathons in Ancient Greece

In Ancient Greece, the marathon was an Olympic event. The distance of the race was 42.195 kilometers, with the start and finish in the town of Marathon and the Olympic Stadium in Athens. The route of the race followed that of the Ancient Greek period, crossing the mountains and plains of Greece. Participants were required to complete the race within the allotted time or be eliminated.

Modern marathons

The modern marathon has its roots in the 1896 Athens Olympics, when the distance was 40 kilometers. It was not until 1921 that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standardized the distance at 42.195 kilometers, which became the standard distance for the modern marathon.

Modern marathons are very strictly organized and managed, with participants needing to register in advance and going through physical examinations and training to ensure a safe and fair race. The race route also needs to be certified to ensure the accuracy of the distance and route.

How to take part in a marathon

If you want to take part in a marathon, you first need to be well prepared. You need to have enough physical strength and endurance, and it is recommended that you train several months in advance. Training includes long-distance running, strength training and diet control.

Secondly, you need to choose a suitable marathon and register in advance. When registering, you need to fill in relevant information such as personal information and health status.

On the day of the race, you need to arrive at the race site in advance to collect your race number and equipment. Before the start of the race, you need to warm up and stretch to prevent injuries.

During the race, you need to pay attention to maintaining an appropriate speed and pace to avoid over-fatigue. At the same time, you need to take care of hydration and energy to maintain your strength and endurance.

Finally, after finishing the race, remember to perform cool-down exercises and stretching in order to recover your physical condition.