Battle of Marathon of events, with the competitors running from Marathon to Athens. So popular was this event that it quickly caught on, becoming a fixture at the Olympic games, with major cities staging their own annual events. The distance eventually became fixed at 26 miles 385 yards, or 42.195 km, though for the first years it was variable, being around —the approximate distance from Marathon to Athens. Battle of Marathon The Battle of Marathon (Greek: , "Machē tou Marathōnos") took place in 490 BC, during the first Persian invasion of Greece. It was fought between the citizens of Athens, aided by Plataea,
Athletics at the 1920 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon Athletics at the 1920 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon The men's marathon event was part of the track and field athletics programme at the 1920 Summer Olympics. The distance of this race was 42.75 kilometres. The competition was held on Sunday, 22 August 1920. 48 runners from 17 nations competed. The weather during the race has been described as "cool". An Associated Press report described the weather as "cold and showery", but "fine running weather for the marathoners". These were the standing world and Olympic records (in hours) prior to the 1920 Summer Olympics. "(*)" Distance was 40.2 kilometres Hannes