I can't tell you how many people have asked me why the marathon is 26.2 miles. After a wee bit o' research here's the best response I could come up with.
The 1896 Olympic marathon distance of 24.8 miles was based on the distance run, according to famous Greek legend, in which the Greek foot-soldier Pheidippides was sent from the plains of Marathon to Athens with the news of the astounding victory over a superior Persian army. Exhausted as he approached the leaders of the City of Athens, he staggered and gasped, "Rejoice! We Conquer!" and then collapsed.
The marathon distance was later changed as a result of the 1908 Olympic Games in London. That year, King Edward VII and Queen Alexandria wanted the marathon race to begin at Windsor Castle outside the city so that the Royal family could view the start. The distance between the castle and the Olympic Stadium in London proved to be 26 miles. Organizers added extra yards to the finish around a track, 385 to be exact, so the runners would finish in front of the king and queen's royal box. Every Olympic marathon run since the 1908 Games has been a distance of 26 miles, 385 yards. Thanks!
So, you might imagine that King Edward VII was an athlete, given his interest in the marathon...you would be incorrect. Edward usually smoked twenty cigarettes and twelve cigars a day. That's right, a chain-smoking monarch from England extended the marathon by a approximately 1.5 miles so he could have a better view of the start. Thanks!
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