Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Updated November 2026

The first marathon runner is traditionally identified 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. The story is famous, but historians treat the details with caution, and the modern race distance was not set until 1921. Understanding what is documented and what is legend helps explain why the marathon became the event it is today.

Who Was Pheidippides?

Pheidippides is the name most often linked to the first marathon runner. The main ancient source is Herodotus, who wrote about a runner sent from Athens to Sparta asking for help before the Battle of Marathon. That trip covered roughly 240 kilometers, or about 150 miles, in two days. The famous Athens run appears in later writers, most clearly Plutarch, who wrote centuries after the battle. Many scholars consider the Athens run a later embellishment, but the figure has become the symbol of the marathon.

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Why the Legend Stuck

The story persisted for several reasons. It gave the Greeks a heroic origin for their victory, it linked endurance to national pride, and it was easy to retell. When the modern Olympic Games were revived in 1896 in Athens, organizers created a footrace called the marathon to honor the legend. The first modern Olympic marathon was won by Spyridon Louis, a Greek runner, which made the connection feel real to the public.

How the Distance Changed Over Time

The first modern marathon in 1896 covered about 40 kilometers, roughly 24.8 miles. Race distances varied across early events for years. The International Association of Athletics Federations formally standardized the marathon at 42.195 kilometers, or 26.2 miles, in 1921. The extra distance came largely from the 1908 London Olympics, where the course was adjusted so the race could start at Windsor Castle and finish in front of the royal box at the stadium. That distance has been the official standard since.

What Historians Actually Know

The Battle of Marathon is a documented event, and the Greek victory over the Persians is well established. The exact route and messenger, however, rest on thinner evidence. Looking at the sources in a structured way helps separate fact from story:

  • Battle of Marathon: Recorded by Herodotus, with a clear date in the early 490s BC.
  • Runner to Sparta: Described by Herodotus as a 240-kilometer trip, which is a more detailed claim than the Athens run.
  • Run to Athens: Attributed to later authors, so scholars treat it as probable folklore.
  • Modern marathon: Created in 1896 and standardized in 1921, so the distance has nothing to do with the original event.

Practical Takeaways for Modern Runners

If you are learning about the history for a race, a talk, or a club newsletter, a few habits will keep your facts accurate:

  1. Name Pheidippides as the traditional figure, and note that the Athens run is attributed to later sources.
  2. Give the 42.195-kilometer distance and the 1921 standardization date, rather than implying the ancient run matched it.
  3. Credit the 1896 Athens Olympics as the start of the modern race and the 1908 London course as the reason for the current length.
  4. When in doubt, check primary sources such as Herodotus, and mark anything from later writers as tradition.

Was Pheidippides the only ancient messenger who ran?

No. Greek and Persian armies used relay runners and couriers, so many messengers covered long distances. Pheidippides is simply the name that survived in the marathon story.

Did Pheidippides die after the run?

Some later accounts say he collapsed and died after announcing the victory. Earlier sources do not clearly support this, so treat it as part of the legend.

Is the marathon named after a place?

Yes. The race takes its name from the plain of Marathon, the site of the battle in 490 BC.

Who was the first woman to run a marathon?

Women ran marathon distances before they were officially allowed to race. Kathrine Switzer became well known for running the Boston Marathon in 1967 as a registered entrant, which helped change the rules for women in the sport.

Why is it 26.2 miles instead of a round number?

The distance reflects the 1908 London Olympic course. Organizers adjusted the route for royal viewing, and the resulting length was later adopted as the official standard.

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Lauren Holland

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.