Polytechnic Marathon Polytechnic Marathon The Polytechnic Marathon, often called the Poly, was a marathon held annually between 1909 and 1996, over various courses in or near London. It was the first marathon to be run regularly over the distance of 26 miles, 385 yards which is now the global standard. A total of eight world marathon bests were set in the Poly, including the first authenticated time under 2 hours, 20 minutes which had been regarded as the marathon equivalent of the four-minute mile. At the time of its demise in 1996, the Poly was Europe's oldest regular marathon. It had seen
Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon Marathons became an annual event in London following the 1908 Olympics. The Polytechnic Marathon was held each year until 1996. "Il sogno del maratoneta" is an Italian book and TV movie about Pietri's run. Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon The men's marathon race of the 1908 Summer Olympics took place in London on 24 July 1908. Johnny Hayes won after Dorando Pietri was disqualified for having received assistance before the finish line. For the first time in an Olympic marathon, the distance was , which would become the standard distance in 1921. 75 competitors entered the