It's a weird distance. Exactly 26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometers if you’re into the metric system. Why that specific number? It isn't some round, logical figure dreamed up by a mathematician. Honestly, it’s mostly because of the British Royal Family in 1908 wanting the race to start at Windsor Castle and finish in front of their box at the Olympic stadium. That’s it. That’s why your legs feel like jelly at mile 24.
People throw the word "marathon" around constantly. You'll hear someone talk about a "Netflix marathon" or a "coding marathon." It's become shorthand for anything that takes a long time. But in the world of running, a marathon is a very specific, grueling, and deeply historical event. It isn't just a long jog. It is a physiological threshold where the human body starts to push against its own design.
The Messy History Behind the Miles
Most people think they know the story. A Greek messenger named Pheidippides ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce victory over the Persians, yelled "Nike!" (Victory), and then dropped dead. It’s a great story. It’s also probably not exactly how it happened.
Herodotus, the primary historian for that era, wrote that Pheidippides actually ran from Athens to Sparta—a much longer distance of about 150 miles—to ask for help before the battle even started. The 26-mile "death run" legend was likely a bit of romanticizing by later writers like Plutarch. Regardless of the historical accuracy, the idea stuck. When the first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896, organizers wanted a signature event that honored Greece's ancient glory.
The distance wasn't standardized yet. Those first Olympic runners did about 25 miles. It wasn't until the 1908 London Games that the 26.2-mile distance became the official world standard. It took another 13 years for the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) to formally codify it. So, for over a century, we've been stuck with this arbitrary measurement because of where a royal viewing stand was placed in London.
What Actually Happens to Your Body?
Running a marathon is a metabolic crisis. That sounds dramatic, but it's true. Your body primarily uses two fuel sources: fat and glycogen. Fat is abundant but slow to burn. Glycogen is high-octane fuel stored in your muscles and liver.
The catch? Most humans only store about 2,000 calories worth of glycogen.
The Wall
You’ve probably heard of "The Wall." It usually hits around mile 20. This isn't just a mental hurdle; it is the physical moment your glycogen stores hit zero. When that happens, your brain starts screaming at you to stop. Your legs feel like they’re filled with concrete. This is why marathon training isn't just about running fast; it's about teaching your body to become more efficient at burning fat and learning how to ingest sugar (gels, chews, Gatorade) while running at a high heart rate.
Muscles and Bones
Every step you take sends a shockwave through your skeletal system. By the time you cross the finish line, you are actually slightly shorter than when you started. The repetitive impact causes the discs in your spine to compress. Don't worry, you get your height back after a good night's sleep. Your muscles also sustain microscopic tears, and your immune system takes a temporary nosedive. This is why so many runners get a "marathon cold" a few days after their big race.
The Six World Marathon Majors
If you get serious about this, you’ll eventually hear about the "Majors." These are the six most prestigious marathons in the world. Getting into them is hard. Usually, it requires a fast qualifying time or winning a literal lottery.
- Boston: The oldest annual marathon. It’s famous for the "Newton Hills" and Heartbreak Hill. You can’t just sign up; you have to run a qualifying time in another race first, and even then, thousands are rejected because the field is too full.
- New York City: The largest marathon in the world. It takes you through all five boroughs, starting on the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. The noise from the crowds in Brooklyn is legendary.
- Chicago: A flat, fast course. This is where world records are often broken. If you want a Personal Best (PB), this is where you go.
- London: Known for its massive charity fundraising and the iconic finish on The Mall.
- Berlin: The undisputed king of speed. The current world record (held by Kelvin Kiptum before his passing, and previously Eliud Kipchoge) was set here. The pavement is smooth, and the turns are minimal.
- Tokyo: The newest major. It’s incredibly well-organized and has a unique atmosphere that emphasizes the cultural importance of running in Japan.
The Sub-2 Hour Barrier
For decades, scientists thought it was physically impossible for a human to run 26.2 miles in under two hours. They called it the "four-minute mile" of our generation.
In 2019, Eliud Kipchoge proved them wrong. In a specially controlled event in Vienna (the INEOS 1:59 Challenge), he ran 1:59:40.
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Now, technically, that wasn't a world record because he had a rotating team of pacers and a car projecting a laser line on the ground to keep him on pace. But it proved the human engine is capable of it. The official world record is currently hovering just over two hours. We are living in an era where humans are consistently running roughly 4:35 per mile for twenty-six miles straight. Think about that next time you're on a treadmill. Most people can't maintain that speed for sixty seconds.
Training is the Real Marathon
The race is just the victory lap. The real marathon is the 16 to 20 weeks of training that come before it. A typical training plan involves:
- Base Miles: Easy runs to build aerobic capacity.
- Speed Work: Track intervals to increase lung capacity and turnover.
- The Long Run: The weekly ritual. Every weekend, the distance grows—12 miles, 15 miles, 18 miles, peaking at 20 or 22.
- Taper: The two weeks before the race where you cut your mileage significantly to let your body heal. This is when "maranoia" sets in—the irrational fear that every little sneeze or leg twinge is a sign of impending disaster.
Common Misconceptions
One of the biggest myths is that you need to be "thin" or "fast" to be a marathoner. Go to the finish line of any major race. You will see people of every body type, age, and ability level. Most people aren't racing the person next to them; they are racing the person they were yesterday.
Another myth? That you should run 26.2 miles in training. Most coaches advise against this. The recovery time from a full 26-mile run is so long that it actually hurts your training. Most plans top out at 20 miles. The "missing" six miles on race day are fueled by adrenaline, the crowd, and months of accumulated fitness.
What You Need to Get Started
If you're actually thinking about doing this, don't just go buy the most expensive shoes you can find.
Go to a dedicated running store. Have them watch you run on a treadmill. They’ll look at your gait—do you overpronate? Is your arch collapsing? Buying the wrong shoes is the fastest way to end up with shin splints or plantar fasciitis.
You also need to figure out your stomach. "Nothing new on race day" is the golden rule. If you haven't practiced eating a specific brand of energy gel during your training runs, do not try it during the race. Your digestive system is under stress, and it will rebel. Loudly.
Actionable Next Steps for Aspiring Marathoners
If you’ve decided you want to tackle this distance, don't sign up for a race next month. Give yourself a realistic runway.
- Build a base first. If you aren't currently running, spend three months just getting comfortable with 15–20 miles per week.
- Pick a "Goal" Race. Find a marathon that is at least 6 months away. This gives you time to train without rushing and getting injured.
- Follow a proven plan. Look up Hal Higdon’s "Novice 1" or the Pfitzinger methods if you're more experienced. Don't wing it.
- Invest in technical socks. Cotton is the enemy. It holds moisture and causes blisters. Look for synthetic blends or merino wool (like Balega or Features).
- Find a community. Running 26 miles alone is hard. Joining a local run club makes the 5:00 AM Saturday wake-up calls much more bearable.
The marathon is a transformative experience. It changes your relationship with pain and your perception of what you’re capable of achieving. It’s boring, it’s painful, it’s expensive, and for most people who cross that finish line, it’s the greatest thing they’ve ever done.