By Lauren HollandUpdated November 2026
The first person to run a marathon is traditionally named as Pheidippides, an Athenian messenger who ran from the plain of Marathon to Athens around 490 BC to announce a Greek victory over the Persians. Historians treat the story as partly legend, but it is the origin point for the event every runner knows today.
Why the Pheidippides Story Matters
The account comes mainly from Herodotus, who wrote about the Persian Wars within a few decades of the battle. Herodotus describes a runner sent from Athens to Sparta before the battle to request help, a trip of roughly 150 miles covered in about two days. He does not describe a run from Marathon to Athens at all. That later part of the story appears in writings by Plutarch and Lucian, centuries after the fact, and it is the version that became popular.
Shopping for one? See our guide: 3 Best Run Your First Half Marathon Training Programs (2026): Our Picks.
Because of this gap in the sources, most historians consider the single-run-from-Marathon story a romantic embellishment. Still, the legend stuck, and it gave the modern marathon its name and its founding myth.
The Factors Behind the Legend
Several factors explain why the story took hold and why the first person to run a marathon is linked so firmly to Pheidippides:
- Messenger culture. Long-distance foot messengers were a real and important part of ancient Greek and Persian communication, so a runner carrying news was believable.
- A dramatic ending. Many versions say the messenger shouted a single word, usually “Victory” (nenikēkamen), and then collapsed and died. That ending made the tale memorable.
- Revival in 1896. When the modern Olympic Games were revived in Athens, organizers added a race from Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium to honor the legend. The winner was Spyridon Louis, a Greek water carrier.
- The distance was later standardized. The 1896 race covered about 40 kilometers. The 26.2-mile (42.195 km) distance was set at the 1908 London Olympics, when the course was lengthened so the race could start at Windsor Castle and finish in front of the royal box.
What the Marathon Distance Means for Runners Today
Knowing the history helps put the event in context. The first person to run a marathon almost certainly did not cover 26.2 miles, and no one ran that exact distance until 1908. For modern runners, the practical lesson is that the distance is a fixed standard, not a number the ancient world ever used. Training for it means building endurance gradually, because a marathon is a test of sustained aerobic effort over more than four hours for most recreational runners.
If you are preparing for your first race, a structured plan will do more for you than any single historical detail. Many beginners find that the principles behind the first marathon still apply: steady pacing, enough rest, and a clear sense of what you are trying to finish.
Practical Steps for Learning More About Marathon History
- Read Herodotus’s account of the Persian Wars and compare it with later sources such as Plutarch.
- Check the Olympic Games history for the 1896 and 1908 races to see how the distance changed.
- Note which details are documented and which are legend before repeating them.
- If you want to apply the history to your own training, start with a realistic goal. Our guide on Best First Marathon to Run: How to Pick the Right Race for Your Debut covers how to choose a race that fits your experience.
- Consult a doctor before starting a new training program, especially if you have a heart condition or other health concerns.
Related questions
Was Pheidippides’s run from Marathon to Athens real?
Most historians doubt it. The earliest sources describe a run from Athens to Sparta, and the Marathon-to-Athens version appears in later writers. The legend is best treated as inspired by real messengers rather than as a verified event.
How long is a marathon?
A marathon is 26.2 miles, or 42.195 kilometers. That distance was standardized at the 1908 London Olympics.
Who was the first woman to run a marathon?
Kathrine Switzer ran the 1967 Boston Marathon as a registered entrant, which was a significant moment for women in the sport. You can read more in Who Was the First Woman to Run a Marathon? Kathrine Switzer's 1967 Race.
How fast was the first marathon?
Spyridon Louis won the 1896 Olympic marathon in about 2 hours 58 minutes. Times in the ancient messenger legend are not recorded, so no comparison is possible. For context on modern beginner pacing, see Average First Marathon Time: What Most Beginners Run and Why.
Can a beginner run a marathon?
Many beginners do, with a training plan of several months and gradual increases in weekly mileage. Speak with a healthcare professional before starting, and build up slowly to reduce injury risk.
Ready to choose one?
About Lauren Holland
Lauren Holland is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our marathon & half-marathon guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
