Marathon running is an endurance event, techniques and rules of marathon running. About the origins of the marathon distance The first Olympic champion in the marathon distance is
Until you try running, you won't know what a thrill it is.
»Jack Daniels, "From 800 Meters to Marathon"
“Familiar/unfamiliar people participate in different races. They even fly to other countries to run through the streets of Athens or Dublin along with thousands of other participants. Everyone runs: stylish girls, elderly people, housewives, businesswomen, overweight people. For what?” - if you have had such thoughts, this article is for you. We tell you why to participate in the race and how to prepare for your first long distance.
WHAT ARE THERE ARE RACES?
Half marathon- 21 km 97.5 m.
Marathon- 42 km 195 m.
Ultramarathon- extended marathon. Official distances vary but include 50 km and 100 km.
Triathlon- a long-distance race that includes swimming, cycling and running.
Why participate
Interest in distances is growing: among Russian runners in six years (from 2009 to 2014), the number of marathon runners has increased by 300% (according to the RunRepeat study). Some people have lost their taste for life, while others, on the contrary, cling to it. He looks for a source of moral strength when going through a difficult life situation, he runs simply out of excess energy or to show himself what he is capable of.
I never ran, and generally hated it. But when they offered me to run 10 km, I agreed. It was a challenge to myself. During the race, I watched the marathon runners run past me for the second lap and counted the kilometers remaining to the end. And when I reached the finish line, I realized that I wanted more. This kind of self-overcoming is very inspiring and motivating. You realize that all life's obstacles are in your head. You are capable of anything, even things you have never tried before.
When the finish line is crossed, you tell yourself that you will never do something like this again in your life. But after a few minutes you feel a sense of pride and emotions that give you a huge surge of strength, and you catch yourself thinking - it would be nice to repeat it. The half marathon in Romania, which I ran, is 22.5 km of continuous physical activity and overcoming my “I can’t” and “why”. This is an opportunity to prove yourself and test your resources.
The distance helped me understand that the main thing is to set a goal, believe in yourself and go towards it. And the strength will come.
Overcoming serious distances gives confidence in one's abilities and makes a person more resilient. You have a specific goal, and you learn to go towards it correctly. In addition, for me running is a real pleasure and relaxation. Training is often the main event of the day, when you can relax and disconnect from routine activities. Running is something you do for yourself and only for yourself. It's incredibly nice to realize this.
People run marathons to see what they can do. The most interesting and exciting things often happen outside the “comfort zone”. People prove to themselves that they can run 42.2 kilometers, and some not only reach the finish line, but also quite quickly. At such moments you feel like superman.
Fitness and health. You can’t run a marathon from scratch, you need to prepare: train, eat in a special way. No one disputes the positive effects of physical activity and a healthy diet on the body. Provided that everything is done wisely.
Feeling of happiness. Endorphins, adrenaline and dopamine, which are released by our body as a reaction to stress, are responsible for this. All these neurotransmitters provide a feeling of happiness and insane joy. This is the so-called running high.
10,000 people wearing identical T-shirts with one goal, despite the fact that everyone is very different. The fans support you on the track and greet you with placards. And at the finish line they will hang a medal around your neck. These are indescribable emotions.
How to prepare
A half marathon with insufficient preparation, of course, will not lead to anything good. Unless you amuse your sense of self-importance by the very fact of overcoming the distance. Negative consequences can be aggravated by existing excess weight, incorrectly selected sneakers, or excessive initial pace of covering the distance.
»Life will change during the period of preparation for the marathon, it is important to understand this. You can prepare:
1. On one's own. Drawing information from books, using special applications.
2. With the help of a trainer.
I ran my first half marathon in the park. By that time, I had been running for 5 years, gradually increasing the distances: first it was 5, 8, 13, then 15 kilometers. At some point I realized that I was ready for a distance of 21 km. And she ran.
I approached the first official half marathon more consciously. For preparation I used the “NIKE+RUNNING” program. There is a coach there - this makes the task much easier.
You can’t wake up in the morning and say to yourself: “Tomorrow I’ll run a half marathon!” Moreover, if before this the distance that was comfortable for you was 5 kilometers. It is imperative to set a goal for yourself and choose a suitable start. It is better to do this about six months in advance. It’s good if a trainer or a special application helps. It all depends on whether you need to run for some result or just run.
My longest distance by the time I decided to do a half marathon was 10 km (at that time I had been regularly running for about a year in my life). Besides, I do yoga and that helps a lot too! I prepared for the first half marathon for 4 months. But a year of continuous running shouldn’t be discounted either. You could say that I’ve been working towards the half marathon for over a year.
I made a training plan using the MyAsics service. It takes into account your initial data - speed, level of training, age, weight, number of workouts per week. Based on this, he creates a training plan with different types of training: tempo, interval, long runs, short speed runs. But I was already preparing for all subsequent races with a coach.
The decision to run was made 4 months before the race day. Before this, I already had experience of regular jogging for myself. You could say I was an amateur, but a trained one. And I just started running more intensely. I didn’t have a goal to take a prize, I wanted to reach the finish line.
4 months, training 2-3 times a week, running on the track (yes, on it) 5-10 km. Everything was in the format “for yourself, for pleasure.”
I started preparing for the marathon three months in advance. According to a program that included interval, tempo and volume training. I studied every day, with a day off - once a week. Two workouts are under the guidance of a trainer, the rest are on your own, adhering to the program.
Before the marathon, I did three half marathons. These were my running goals for the year. The first half marathon was much more difficult to run than the first marathon. Following the training plan and regular exercise throughout the year has borne fruit. 21 km passed in one breath, from 25 to 35 km my legs began to get heavy, became less obedient, and could no longer maintain the original pace. I ran this period using my hands, using them to help me move forward. And at the end - in anticipation of the imminent finish!
The marathon was very emotional, I am glad that I chose New York for the first marathon, as many advised. Throughout the entire 42 km, the runners were accompanied by a show from fans: they supported, fed, played musical instruments, and sang. Just imagine, you are running, and entire orchestras are playing in your honor. Even though I didn’t have my own support group, I felt it more than ever. I ran in a T-shirt with the inscription “Russia” and the whole distance I heard: “Russia, Russia forward”!
Choosing sneakers
For beginners, it is better to run outside only in normal weather, on normal surfaces, without ice and heavy snow, so as not to injure yourself due to inexperience by slipping or freezing/spraining your ankles.
That is, it is better to choose your first sneakers in the summer - light and comfortable, with average cushioning. Choose in a sports store together with a specialist/consultant. Everyone will find a store or shopping center in their city where they can try on models from different companies, at least Asics and Nike (my favorite brands for cross-country running). As a maximum - Saucony, Reebok, Brooks, Adidas.
Everyone is individual, everyone has a different foot and different sneakers may fit. The criterion is maximum convenience.
Total - if you have half-meter snowdrifts outside your window, and you are new to running. There are two ways.
1. Buy comfortable summer running shoes and go to the gym on the treadmill. After reading several books and watching videos on YouTube about proper running, you will be able to set the right technique for yourself and not make any mistakes while making your way through snowdrifts and ice. And after 1-2 months, go conquer the street.
2. Buy winter sneakers and run outside. But be as careful as possible.
Light summer running sneakers will shrink a little on your feet after 3-4-5 runs. Winter ones have a more rigid shape, so they should be as comfortable as possible right away.
Your first running shoes will determine how your relationship with running will develop. These should not be old ones that are no longer a pity or just sneakers for fitness - NO! These are special running models.
Almost everyone starts with jogging up to 5 kilometers. Beginners alternate between walking and running, but gradually progress to running. If this applies to you, pay attention to sneakers with cushioning, since your body is not yet ready to absorb the shock of the load on its own. Choose sneakers for running on asphalt, but it is better to run in them on dirt or on a path in a park.
Without the advice of a competent specialist, do not buy sneakers with support (thicker inserts in the sole of sneakers that help activate or disable certain muscles from working). You may not need it.
Please note the models:
Asics, Gel-KAYANO
Saucony, TRIUMPH
Brooks, ADRENALINE
Winter running shoes
The most important thing to pay attention to is the surface on which you are going to run. In winter, coverage can be divided into 4 types:
1. snow (fresh fluffy and trampled);
2. snowfall;
3. ice;
4. asphalt.
"Snow" And "asphalt"- ordinary winter sneakers with a membrane without a protector. They will protect your foot when it’s wet outside and won’t slip on fresh snow.
Nike AIR ZOOM STRUCTURE 19 FLASH
"Snow" And "snowfall"- light trail with little tread. When the snow freezes a little and ice appears on it, it is better to have at least a small tread on the sole.
Asics Gel-Fuji Sensor.
Brooks Puregrit. High-quality summer sneakers that are also suitable for short winter runs on non-slip surfaces (fresh first snow in the park). Their tread is enough to create the necessary grip. The lack of a membrane and light mesh can cause your feet to get wet, so you need to put on a warmer sock and run faster.
"Snowfall" And "ice"- trail sneakers with good tread, without a membrane (or with it) and with the ability to install spikes.
The North Face Ultra Series. They have a larger tread, higher quality tires, they are designed for running in the mountains, but will cope well with snow and ice. Of course, if you are going to jog on perfect ice, then you need to put spikes on them, but since this option is not provided in this model, you can buy a pad with spikes for any sneakers. These are my favorite sneakers for summer-winter 2015. I rated them, when I took it with me on a trip to the USA. They ran with me in the desert along steep rocks and held me perfectly on them, walked with me 55 km in a day to the Grand Canyon, and now through snow, mud and ice in Moscow.
La Sportiva Ultra Raptor. This model is also designed for long distances in the mountains, but is perfect as a training model in the snowy parks of Russia. I really love this model, it has not let me down either in summer or winter. The model comes with or without a membrane. Without a membrane is more universal for me. I ran in them in the cold on a frozen lake, lightly covered with snow, my feet did not slip and did not freeze. So they are perfect for running on snow and ice covered with snow.
For harsh winter
Salomon Speed Cross - suitable for the harshest conditions. They have a membrane, a large tread and excellent protection of the foot from all sides, I would call these sneakers “northern”, i.e. for harsh conditions - deep snow, frost, ice. For me personally, they are a bit harsh and my foot is too well protected that I don’t feel how my foot works. But nevertheless, this model remains a favorite of many people for running in winter.
For both summer and winter
X-Talon 212 Inov-8 is a lighter and more versatile model than previous ones. They are perfect for both summer and winter, as they do not have a membrane, but have an excellent grippy protector that will cope with any type of coating. They are too low and light for running in the snowdrifts, but, in my opinion, they are perfect for short runs in the snow.
The North Face Ultra MT can claim to be the most ideal sneaker. They are universal for summer and winter, plus, their top layer is compacted, which will help protect against splashes and dirt, an excellent sole for snow or snow.
An unusual half marathon. Let's get inspired!
One of the most interesting races is the Royal Marathon in Romania. Its start and finish took place in one of the most beautiful places in Europe - in the garden of the Royal Peles Palace. The route passed along mountain and forest paths with a turn in the town of Busteni. The number of participants is more than 200 (about 5-7 participants from Germany, Moldova, France, 1 from Japan, and we - 6 girls - are the only ones from Russia, the rest are Romanians).
The first 5 km are all uphill. This was the biggest and longest climb. Everyone walked up the mountain almost on foot. It’s not that you can’t run there, you can, but only if you want to run out of steam in the first km and crawl for the remaining 17 km.
We go through this stage with an ascent and then the same steep and rather long descent begins. At that moment I was so shocked that I broke down and even walked quite ahead of the girls. She flew down the mountain, remembering the coach’s words: “When running down a mountain, you cannot shorten your stride, but rather make it wide. The more afraid you are, the more likely you are to fall.
At some point, I realize that we are either running through a field of garlic, or that the woman ahead of me has clearly eaten it before the race. As it turned out later, it was a field with wild garlic, and it just smells like garlic. We somehow immediately adopted a tempo that was not super vigorous, but not super slow either. We ran for fun, stopped for photos (we were surrounded by very beautiful places) and even chatted a lot.
After about 10 km a very steep mountain begins, the steepest climb on the entire route. It's simply impossible to run there. Everyone is walking, those who are already running from above joyfully cheer in Romanian and shout: “Bravo.” It helps. At some point, I admit, I really wanted to lie down there and not climb the mountain anymore. There was a U-turn on the mountain itself and we had to run down the same road.
We went down cheerfully, filled ourselves with isotonic water at the food station, and I ate the gel. Let's run further. After this hellish mountain, running is much more joyful. Then there were no more serious slides. If there were, they were not very prolonged.
The most interesting thing began after 18 km. Unpleasant sensations began to appear in my right calf, which looked like an approaching cramp. At this stage I decided to walk quickly. When running, my heart rate simply went up sharply, while I was crawling, not running. So I decided that it would be better to walk for a while and then finish normally. Fortunately, there were no bad sensations in my leg when I walked. So I walked to the 19.5 km mark. The pulse was restored, and there was no longer any discomfort in the leg when running. I ran with new strength.
I’m running somewhere along a forest path, the finish should be close, but when the clock ticks 21 km, I understand that the final point is not in sight in the near future. Okay, the track is bigger, ok! I start singing to cheer up my spirit. By yourself, on the go, out loud! A song about Katyusha. That samkyu that “apple trees and pears blossomed...”.
She ran out of the forest onto the paving stones. So, the finish line is coming soon! Probably around that corner. But around the bend he is gone again. I run further. After about 500 m there is another slight rise, which seems like that same high mountain, and I finally see the finish. Uphill finish! Well, for what?! I have no strength, but I’m breaking because I’m already dreaming of finishing all this and finally breathing out. At the finish line, the marathon director Daniel himself puts a medal on me, kisses me three times and hugs me. It was not in vain that she ran! The medal itself is worth special attention - beautiful, heavy, with the heraldry of the Romanian monarch.
Imagine our surprise when, after all the awards, Daniel said that the marathon was attended by honorary guests of the marathon - 6 people from Russia - and invited us to receive a diploma, which, you won’t believe, we received from the hands of Princess Margarita of Romania herself. And in the evening we took part in a royal reception in the Peles Garden with an orchestra concert. This is a delight!
Grete Waitz and Gloria Averbukh "Your first marathon" .
How to enjoy the training process. The book contains a 16-week program for beginning runners, exercises for general physical conditioning and stretching, and nutrition tips during the preparation period and during the race. 10 kilometers, half marathon and finally marathon. In the book you will find more than 60 color motivational illustrations.
Marathon running is the most difficult type of sports activity, since the runner will need to cover a huge distance of 42 kilometers 195 meters. At the same time, the body receives very heavy loads, and the whole body performs difficult work, which must require hard training and willpower. How to prepare yourself for a marathon, what is needed to correctly perform the marathon running technique, and what problems await those who decide to run this distance? We will answer this in this material.
How modern marathon running began
This is the very personification of the spirit of the Olympics. The marathon became part of the Olympic competitions at the debut games in 1896, which took place in Greece. Although race sizes have changed periodically, marathons always entered into competitions. The marathon was fully approved in 1924. At the same moment, it was established that 42 km and 195 are the marathon distance.
Such long races are actively practiced all over the world. For example, one of the most famous record holders is an Australian, Clayton, who set the world record for marathon running in 1969, running the distance in 2 hours and 8 minutes.
How do you run a marathon?
In order to participate, you need to undergo extensive training. Moreover, they must be comprehensive and also concern your mind. The athlete needs to cover at least 12 kilometers in each training session, which will last 3 months. By exercising at this rhythm, you will always be able to maintain the necessary muscle tone, doing yourself more resilient and strong, and also train your strong-willed qualities. He must also be ready to run a marathon, so such training can gradually accustom him to heavy loads. In addition to physical exercise, you must also observe, choosing only nutritious and healthy foods.
The rules of the marathon race state that admission to the race is granted only to those athletes who have the appropriate doctor's certificate about your health, which must be provided 30 days before the start. As a rule, running takes place along a road, pedestrian or bicycle road. However, the beginning and end of the distance must take place at a sports stadium. should be ideally suited to these conditions for more comfortable functioning of the body.
Specialists who are responsible for planning a route, they develop it so that athletes can run as comfortably and safely as possible. The area where running competitions will take place must be restricted from the movement of cars and have no obstructing objects.
Violation of the rules may result in disqualification from the race. Marathon running competitions are held in cities around the world, separately for different genders.
What's so special about the marathon?
During a marathon, your body works in extreme mode. So it's very important to be in excellent physical shape, including a trained musculoskeletal system and strengthened heart muscle.
Also significant is the state of your mental system. During a long race, our psyche is also overstrained, which is why not everyone can run a marathon. However, all this is what distinguishes an athlete who runs marathons - running such long distances, he significantly develops his speed, becomes more balanced and confident in his abilities, and also acquires the ability to relax during such stress.
During the passage you need to consider the following:
- You need to develop your cardiovascular system, because it will take on enormous loads. As a result, the heart will learn to adapt to work more successfully during high-speed marathon running. However, it is worth preparing gradually so that the body has time to get used to it.
- During long runs, you lose a significant amount of fluid, which will come out through sweat. Therefore, the body temperature rises significantly, and this will lead to overheating.
How to properly prepare for a marathon
Athletes must prepare for marathon distances under the guidance of trainers, whose task will be to coordinate tasks to show more successful results. So, in order to complete the marathon distance you need:
- train, and also gradually increase the distance when running long distances. You also need to learn to run for high climbs. It is believed that to successfully complete a marathon, during training you need to run 20 to 30 kilometers once. After this, longer distances will be much easier to run.
- the next step will be to overcome daily 12 kilometers. According to experts, following this type of training for three months will mean the end of preparation for the marathon competition.
Although the distribution of loads should take into account the individual characteristics of each athlete, as well as his own desire to improve his abilities. However, it is equally important for everyone to follow a systematic training routine, strengthen their body and mentally prepare for the competition.
Video. First competition in your life? Then marathon!
Both professional athletes and ordinary long-distance running enthusiasts can conquer the marathon distance; the main thing is to know the main features of this sports discipline. The 42 km marathon is the most popular among runners. Here you can show all your skills and abilities. Many professional athletes overcome this distance every day
Now similar marathons are periodically held on various continents. Anyone can take part, the main thing is to submit an application on time and submit all the necessary documents to the organizers. Many people sign up as participants in such marathons in advance and then purposefully begin to prepare for this event several months before the start.
Long distances are considered prestigious in sporting circles, which is part of the reason why the 42km marathon is so popular among runners. Over the long years of the existence of this discipline, several records have been set, including by age, by time and related to the physical characteristics of the body.
In 490 BC, one of the largest military confrontations between the Greeks and the Persians took place in the struggle for the independence of ancient Greek civilization. The battle took place near the small town of Marathon, located approximately 42 km from the capital of Greece, Athens. When the battle was over, one of the soldiers was sent to the main headquarters in Athens to report the Greek victory. Pheidippides ran the entire way without stopping, exhausted from thirst and exhaustion. Having come running, he only managed to shout about victory, after which he fell dead.
The general public learned about this story only more than 500 years later. The legend was described by the famous ancient Greek philosopher Plutarch in one of his works “The Glory of Athens”. In fact, this story is considered a fairy tale or simply an embellished chronicle of real events.
Plutarch retold in his own words the events that were once described in the works of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. He was practically a contemporary of those years and had the opportunity to make notes based on the stories of direct participants in those military events. According to him, Pheidippides served as a messenger and during the battle he was sent for help from Athens to Sparta, that is, he had to cover a distance of about 230 km without long stops. According to stories, the messenger managed to run in two days, after which he died.
From the point of view of the veracity of history, Herodotus' version sounds more preferable. However, now, speaking about the origins of the marathon distance, everyone remembers exactly the version described by Plutarch. This explains why the marathon is 42 km, and not the same 230 km. In addition, stayers run such distances with great optimism.
The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. The famous French figure Michel Breal made a proposal that the marathon distance be included in the upcoming competitions. This idea was happily supported by the first founder of the new Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin.
The race did not take place in the stadium, but along the famous route between Athens and the city of Marathon. Then Spiridon Louis won, who was subsequently perceived as a national hero in his homeland in Greece. At that time, the marathon distance was 40 km, Louis showed a result of 2:58.50 hours. Having correctly distributed his forces along the distance, he was able to come first due to the fact that the athletes who were in the lead could not maintain the fast pace and left the race.
Women were able to take part in the marathon for the first time in 1984, when the 23rd Olympic Games took place in the United States in Los Angeles.
Since the first Olympic Games, it has been customary to put marathon running at the end of the entire competitive program. Sometimes the race is held a few hours before the end of the Olympics, but it also happens that the marathon ends right during the closing ceremony of the Games. A prerequisite is that the finish must be on the territory of the stadium where all athletics competitions were held. It is noteworthy that this tradition is still followed. For example, during the 2004 Olympics, the distance and, accordingly, the finish line exactly corresponded to the first marathon in modern history in 1896.
Video motivation for a 42 km marathon:
Features of the marathon
Initially, at the first Olympic Games the distance was 40 km, but then in 1924 it was decided to make the marathon 42 km 195 m. This distance length is official, certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations, and cannot be less than or exceeded by more than one tenth of a percent .
Officially established world records were not taken into account by the world organization IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) until the end of 2003. The International Association of Marathons and Endurance has insisted that the IAAF pay attention to long-distance races and begin to keep statistics of victories and records set, otherwise they would start maintaining their own list. Thus, the marathon became a generally accepted sports discipline, the records of which began to be recognized by the world athletics organization.
For a new world record to be recognized, the course must fully comply with the rules and regulations established by the IAAF. Despite this, currently marathon distances differ quite greatly from each other depending on the place where the races are held. Elevation changes, road surfaces, weather conditions - all this does not make it possible to objectively evaluate the athletes’ results. As a rule, there are a number of components that make a marathon the most effective.
A significant role in long-distance running is played by the so-called pacemakers - athletes who set a certain running pace. For example, in 2003, Paula Radcliffe became the best among women at the London Marathon. Then she ran the distance, accompanied by male pacemakers, in 2:15.25 hours. Without their participation, she covered this distance in 2:17.42 hours. The difference is quite significant for marathon races, but both results became world records among women.
Among men, athletes from Ethiopia and Kenya are considered the best marathon runners. The 10 fastest runners are from these countries. The best results here were shown by Kenyan Dennis Kimetto, who was able to run the Berlin Marathon in 2:02.57 hours. Basically, athletes show all the most significant results in Berlin or London. Marathons in Dubai, Rotterdam and Chicago are also popular among women.
Despite the difficulty of the distance, the 42-kilometer marathon has gained its popularity among both professional athletes and amateur runners. Many outstanding marathon runners undertake such races not only with the goal of setting another world record, but also in order to take part in various charity events.
Despite the fact that the roots of this long-term sporting competition go back to ancient times, today's official length of the marathon appeared only in the 20th century.
Marathon history
The first marathon was organized during the first modern Olympic Games, which took place in the Greek capital in 1896. The ancient Olympic Games never included a race over such a distance in the list of competitions. The idea of the modern marathon is inspired by one of the Greek legends about a messenger who ran from the site of the Battle of Marathon all the way to Athens without stopping once. The distance of his race was about 40 km. The Battle of Marathon took place between the Greeks and the Persian army in 490 BC. e., according to legend, the ambassador only managed to report the victory of the Greeks and fell dead. To honor the memory of the persistent messenger, the distance of the first marathon was set at 40 km.
Modern distance
The following Olympic Games followed the same tradition, until the London Olympics in 1908. According to persistent rumors, the distance was increased to please the royal family. Queen Alexandra asked that the race start at Windsor Palace so that the youngest members of the royal family could watch it from the windows of the children's room. Also, at Alexandra’s request, the race ended at the royal box of the Olympic Stadium. Thus, the distance of the 1908 marathon was 42 kilometers 195 meters. The accidental promotion has long remained in the history of athletics. In 1921, this particular length was recognized as the standard.
Today, marathons are held everywhere - from the North Pole to the Wall of China. In the United States alone, there are currently more than 1,100 annual marathons registered. If in 1976, according to a statistical survey, about 25 thousand people participated in marathons, then in 2013 the number of participants more than doubled.
In 490 BC. After the battle near the city of Marathon, the ancient Greek warrior Pheidippides (or Phillippides, it is not known exactly) ran from the battle site to Athens to talk about the victory. After one sentence he died. It is not known for certain whether this event actually happened or not, since there are no documentary sources.
What is a marathon now? This is a long distance race included in athletics.
The world's first marathon
The world's first Olympics took place in Greece in 1896. The program of the Olympic Games included a marathon. Before the race there were 17 participants. On the eve of the competition, due to the heat, several athletes refused to run. As a result of a fierce struggle between athletes from Australia, France and Greece, the Greek Spyros Louis won, who managed to complete his first and only marathon. Its distance was 40 kilometers. He managed to run this distance in 2 hours 58 m and 50 seconds.
Spyros Louis became a national hero. A stadium in Athens is named in his honor.
The distance of the race changed several times. The London Olympics in 1908 was notable for the fact that the start was shifted to the Queen's wish. She decided to watch the start of the race in person. The athletes ran a marathon, the distance of which was increased by 2 km 195 m.
Later, in 1921, the final distance was approved. It was 42 km 195 m and has remained unchanged to this day.
The marathon became popular in the United States in 1970. Over 700 runners covered the distance in less than 3 hours.
In 1966, in Boston, a woman learned what a marathon was from her own experience and managed to complete the distance in 3 hours 20 meters, despite the ban from the organizers. Since 1984, representatives of the fair sex have been allowed to participate in the marathon race at the Olympics.
The popularity of this sport is growing every year. Among the participants there are people over 70 years old.
Until 2004, records were not recognized. This is due to the fact that the competitions take place on different tracks. If in Athens the roads are covered with cobblestones, then in Boston they are asphalt. Different elevations, different climates. Such a difference does not guarantee the same conditions for setting a record.
Modern marathon rules more precisely define what the course should be like.
What is a marathon? How does the race happen?
Everyone chooses the mileage, distance, pre-registers on the website, and pays the registration fee.
The marathon usually begins with a mass start. Participants are given equipment with the symbols of the race. Throughout the entire distance (at certain kilometers) there are points with water and wet sponges.
Each competition determines in advance the control time for which the distance must be covered. On average it is 6 hours.
Persons over 18 years of age are allowed to participate. Those under 18 may compete at shorter distances.
A doctor's note is required for all participants to be admitted.
How to run a marathon?
A marathon is not only a distance of 42 km 195 m, it is also the many kilometers that an athlete runs before the competition.
Any healthy person can prepare and learn from personal experience what a marathon is. First you need to learn the correct running technique. You also need to train endurance in order to cover long distances. You can take part in competitions over shorter distances - 5 km, 10 km, half marathon 21 km 97.5 m.
Afterwards you can try a full marathon. Preparation time may take approximately 17 weeks.
Where can I participate?
In Russia, large mass races are held throughout the country. The largest of them: Siberian, “Konjak”, Moscow, “White Nights”, Omsk Half Marathon Handicap, Rozhdestvensky.
Participants in the competition are given equipment with the symbols of the marathon, and those who reach the finish line are given memorable souvenirs and a certificate indicating their personal result.
The largest marathons in the world are included in the World Marathon Majors league. These are commercial competitions with a large prize fund. There are 6 such marathons in total, they are held in Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York and Tokyo. Registration for participation begins long before the competition date and usually ends in a matter of days. These are the most prestigious marathons in the world. Both professional athletes and amateur runners take part in them.
The essence of a marathon is to cover a long distance. Not everyone makes it to the finish line, but those who do are a true hero.
