Running in Ancient Greece Athens to Sparta and then back to Marathon in 490 BCE. He was sent to gain the help of the Spartans against the attack of the Persian army in Marathon. In 1896, at the first modern Olympics, the very first modern-day marathon was run. To honor the history of Greek running, Greece chose a course that would mimic the route run by Pheidippides. The race course covered . The route started at a bridge in the town of Marathon and ended in the Olympic stadium reference perseus project. Another event in the ancient Olympic Games was the pentathlon. The pentathlon
Macau Marathon in 1990. The annual marathon race was suspended in 1997 due to the opening of the Macau Olympic Stadium, but a half marathon was held for the first time in its place that year, maintaining the race continuity. The course takes in both Taipa and Coloane (the islands which make up the region) and begins and ends at the Macau Olympic Complex stadium. Since 1998, three races have been held at each edition: the full marathon, a half marathon, and a shorter mini-marathon (roughly 6.5 km). The marathon race attracts a majority of overseas runners, with average yearly totals of