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,
Johnny Miles Running Event Williston. On June 20, 2010, the 35th Annual Johnny Miles Marathon and Running Event was held in New Glasgow with a record participation of over 2000 runners. In 2012 the event was named as Run Nova Scotia's event of the year. The popular event sold out in both 2012 and 2013. The event weekend features multiple races including a 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon. There is also a 5K kids race and a walking event called the "Johnny Walk." David MacLennan of Scotsburn, Nova Scotia holds the record for the most wins at the marathon distance, winning his 9th