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,
Jerusalem Marathon on their way to the Jerusalem Forest. The race's finishing point is Sacher Park. Jerusalem's hilly terrain makes the marathon especially challenging. The religious and ethnic diversity of the Jerusalem Marathon led one "Haaretz" reporter to describe the race as "the most cosmopolitan event around." Races at shorter distances and a fun run are held in conjunction with the marathon. Key: Other records: Jerusalem Marathon The Jerusalem Marathon () is an annual marathon running event held in Jerusalem during the month of March. The course begins at Israel's parliament, passes through Mount Scopus and the Old City, and finishes at