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
Humboldt Redwoods Marathon Marathon is a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon. Humboldt Redwoods Marathon The Humboldt Redwoods Marathon is held annually in October along the Avenue of the Giants in scenic Humboldt Redwoods State Park in Humboldt County, CA. The course, consisting of two out-and-back legs, is almost entirely under the canopy of towering redwood trees. Half marathon and 5K events are run concurrently. The event, one of four larger annual races organized by the Six Rivers Running Club, was first run in 1978. In 2009, more than 1,000 runners participated. A sister event, the Avenue of The Giants Marathon, is run