The marathon is a long-distance foot race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards),that is 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 (the namesake of the race) to Athens.
The historical accuracy of this legend is in doubt,contradicted by accounts given by Herodotus,in particular.
