MARATHON
A marathon is a long-distance running event covering 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers). It requires months of training to build endurance through long runs and speed workouts. Beyond fitness, marathons foster community among participants. Crossing the finish line represents a significant achievement, celebrating perseverance and determination.
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. His mission completed, he promptly died of exhaustion after having apparently also run 150 miles back from Sparta the day before.
The organisers of the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 devised the marathon race over 40km to celebrate the achievements of Ancient Greece.
Here are a few renowned marathon athletes along with brief descriptions of their experiences:
Experience: One of the greatest distance runners, Gebrselassie set multiple world records in the marathon. He is known for his incredible speed and stamina. His marathon debut was in 2002, where he won the Amsterdam Marathon, and he later set a world record in 2008 at the Berlin Marathon.
Haile Gebrselassie
Nationality: Ethiopian
Experience: Radcliffe is famous for her world record time of 2:15:25, set at the 2003 London Marathon. Her career is marked by resilience, overcoming injuries and setbacks, including a disappointing performance in the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she had to withdraw due to health issues.
Paula Radcliffe
Nationality: British
Experience: Kipchoge is the current world record holder, having completed the marathon in 2:01:39 at the 2018 Berlin Marathon. Known for his disciplined training regimen and mental fortitude, he famously completed a marathon in under two hours (1:59:40) under special conditions in 2019, showcasing the limits of human endurance.
Eliud Kipchoge
Nationality: Kenyan
Experience: Linden made headlines by winning the 2018 Boston Marathon in challenging weather conditions, becoming the first American woman to win the race in 33 years. She is known for her resilience and strategic racing, often pushing through adversity during her runs.
Des Linden
Nationality: American
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