Marathon Marathon The marathon is a long-distance race, completed by running, walking, or a run/walk strategy. There are also wheelchair divisions. The marathon has an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26.219 miles; 26 miles 385 yards), usually run as a road race. The event was instituted in commemoration of the fabled run of the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon to Athens, who reported the victory. The marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896, though the distance did not become standardized until 1921. More than 800 marathons are held throughout the world each
Göteborg Marathon Göteborg Marathon Göteborg Marathon is an annual marathon running competition in Gothenburg, the second-largest city in Sweden, organized by the local athletics club Solvikingarna. The race was first held in 1972, and has since been an annual event except for 1973 and 1986. Classes for the half marathon distance were added in 1996 to help finance the event. The race takes place in October, and is currently the third largest marathon in Sweden. The start and finish is in the old athletics arena Slottsskogsvallen in Slottskogen park. The course goes southwards to a turning point at the sea and returns