Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Updated November 2026

How many people ran the first marathon? The short answer is one. According to the best-known account, a single Athenian messenger, usually named Pheidippides, ran from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens around 490 BC. This guide explains what the ancient sources actually say, where the story gets murky, and how modern marathons trace their roots back to that run.

The Historical Answer: One Runner

The popular version of the story credits one man with the run. Ancient writers such as Herodotus describe a messenger sent from Athens to Sparta before the battle, a journey of roughly 240 kilometers that he completed in about two days. Later accounts, including those by Plutarch and Lucian, describe a runner carrying news of the Athenian victory at Marathon back to Athens. That second run is the one modern marathons commemorate.

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Notice what the sources do not say. None of the earliest surviving texts describe a crowd of runners, a race, or an organized event. The “first marathon” as a race did not exist until the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens, where organizers created a 40-kilometer event to recall the legend.

Why the Count Is Uncertain

Several details make the “one runner” answer less certain than it sounds:

  • Names vary. Herodotus does not name the messenger who ran to Sparta, and the name Pheidippides appears in different forms across sources. Some scholars also note that the messenger’s name may have been confused between accounts.
  • The runs may be separate. The Sparta run and the Athens run are often blended into one story. Historians treat them as distinct accounts with different reliability.
  • Accounts were written later. Most of the detail comes from writers centuries after the battle, so some elaboration is likely.

How to Read the Ancient Sources

If you want to check the claim yourself, work through the sources in order of age. This simple process keeps you from mixing legend with record.

  1. Start with Herodotus, the earliest and most detailed account, written within about 50 years of the battle.
  2. Note which events are described directly and which are reported secondhand.
  3. Compare later retellings, such as those by Plutarch and Lucian, against Herodotus.
  4. Mark any detail that appears only in later sources, such as the dramatic final words of the runner.
  5. Separate the Sparta run from the Athens run before deciding how many runners the story involves.
Source Approximate date written What it describes
Herodotus Around 430 BC A messenger running to Sparta before the battle
Plutarch Around 100 AD A runner bringing news of victory to Athens
Lucian Around 160 AD A runner’s death after delivering the message

What the Legend Means for Modern Runners

The legend matters less for its headcount than for what it represents. The 1896 race introduced the distance and the idea of marathon as a test of endurance. The distance was later standardized at 42.195 kilometers in 1921, and it is still the benchmark for the event today. If you are preparing for your own race, understanding this history can give context to the distance you are training for. For a practical starting point, see How to Train for Your First Marathon: A 16-Week Beginner Guide.

Common Mistakes When Retelling the Story

  • Stating the runner’s name as fact when sources disagree.
  • Assuming the 490 BC run was a race with many participants.
  • Mixing the Sparta and Athens runs into one event.
  • Using the 40-kilometer distance from 1896 as if it dates to ancient Greece.
  • Treating later dramatic details as verified history.

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FAQ

Did more than one person run the first marathon?

The ancient accounts describe one messenger on the key run to Athens. Some versions also mention a separate run to Sparta, but no ancient source describes a group racing together.

What was the name of the first marathon runner?

The traditional name is Pheidippides. However, the sources do not agree on the name in every telling, so historians treat it with caution.

When was the first marathon race held?

The first modern marathon race was held at the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens. It was inspired by the legend rather than being an ancient event.

Conclusion

The best historical answer to how many people ran the first marathon is one: a single messenger in the legend, with the modern race following in 1896. The sources are older and less consistent than the popular story suggests. Keep that distinction in mind and the legend becomes a useful part of the marathon’s history.

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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.