2012 Olympic Marathon Course standard length for a marathon, and the 1908 marathon course was originally to have been 25 miles, passing through Uxbridge, Ruislip, Harrow-on-the-Hill before ending at the White City Stadium. It was extended to 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 km) to avoid troublesome cobbles and tram lines, because of access restrictions at Windsor Castle and to improve visibility to the spectators, including Queen Alexandra, for the finishing stretch inside the stadium. This distance subsequently became the official length of the marathon. In 1948, London hosted the first Olympic Games to be held after World War II the "austerity games". The
Valencia Half Marathon Valencia Half Marathon The Valencia Half Marathon () is an annual road running event over the half marathon distance (21.1 km or 13.1 miles) that takes place in the city of Valencia, Spain. It is organised by the S.D. Correcaminos Valencia sports club, which also organises the annual Valencia Marathon. The event was first held in 1991 as a race over 20 kilometres known as the "20 kilómetros Ciudad de Valencia" and this continued each May up to 2005. From 2006 onwards, the competition was extended slightly to become a half marathon. The change coincided with a growth in the