Related article

Photo courtesy of FAYFOTO/Boston. Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya won his third Boston Marathon in 2007.

Digging Deeper   Find out more about Women and the Marathon…

Some runners want the ultimate running challenge: the marathon. Races such as marathons test a runner’s conditioning, desire, and willingness to withstand and even go past discomfort and pain.

The marathon race was created as part of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896. A course of about 40 km (25 mi) was set, and a Greek runner named Spyridon Louis won the race. The official marathon distance was later increased to 42.19 km (26 mi 385 yd). Now many major cities around the world hold annual marathons. The most famous (other than the Olympic event) are the ones held each year in Boston and New York City. The first Boston Marathon was held in 1897, making it the oldest annual marathon in the world. The New York Marathon features the largest number of competitors. Originally, the marathon was restricted to men only, but women have been running it officially since the 1973 Boston Marathon.

Photo courtesy of FAYFOTO/Boston. This photograph shows Fred Cameron (from Nova Scotia, Canada), winner of the 1910 Boston Marathon, as he crossed the finish line. The Boston race is the oldest marathon in the world.

Researchers recommend that marathoners be at least 18 years old to participate.  Preparing for a marathon requires a commitment to a disciplined training program that spans months. This type of training requires running almost every day, along with other types of workouts geared toward building stamina for the grueling run. Good nutrition is also important for getting in shape for the marathon. Balanced, healthy meals that include protein, carbohydrates, fruits, and vegetables will build on the physical training program. It is equally important to drink lots of water and other healthy drinks.

Running the Race

If you want to know what it’s like to actually run a marathon, Philippe Theys can tell you about it.