Lauren HollandBy Lauren Holland

Updated November 2026

The first marathon race was run in 1896 at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, though the event is rooted in a legend from 490 BC. This guide explains both dates, separates the myth from the documented history, and shows you where the modern 26.2-mile distance came from. You will leave with a clear timeline you can use to answer the question accurately.

The 490 BC Legend Behind the Name

The marathon takes its name from the plain of Marathon, about 26 miles northeast of Athens. According to the account written by Herodotus, a messenger ran from the battlefield to Athens to announce a Greek victory over the Persians in 490 BC. The story goes that he delivered the news and collapsed. Historians generally treat the run as a later embellishment rather than a documented race. There was no organized competition, no course and no finish line in 490 BC.

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Still, the legend is why the event was named after the battle. It is the origin story, not the first race.

The 1896 Athens Olympics: The First Modern Marathon

The first marathon race in the modern sense was held on April 10, 1896, during the inaugural Olympic Games of the modern era. Organizers, including Michel Bréal, wanted an event that echoed the Marathon messenger story, and the race was added to the program. The course ran from the town of Marathon to the Panathenaic Stadium in Athens. A Greek runner, Spyridon Louis, won in a time of about 2 hours 58 minutes.

That 1896 race covered roughly 40 kilometers, not the modern 42.195 kilometers. The exact distance was standardized later.

How the Distance Became 26.2 Miles

The 1896 course was not fixed at a set length, and early races varied. The 26.2-mile distance was adopted at the 1908 London Olympics. The organizers reportedly placed the start at Windsor Castle and the finish in front of the royal box at the stadium, which added the extra distance. The International Association of Athletics Federations later formalized 42.195 kilometers as the official length.

Key Dates in Marathon History

Use this short timeline when you need to cite the right year for a specific event:

Year Event
490 BC Legendary messenger run from Marathon to Athens
1896 First modern marathon, Athens Olympics
1897 First Boston Marathon, the oldest annual marathon still held
1908 Official 26.2-mile distance set at the London Olympics
1967 Kathrine Switzer runs the Boston Marathon as a registered entrant

Practical Tips for Citing the History Accurately

  • Say “1896” when asked about the first modern marathon, and mention the 490 BC legend as background.
  • Note that the 1896 course was about 40 km, not 42.195 km.
  • Treat the 490 BC run as legend, since the historical record is thin.
  • Check the year of any specific race against an official source before publishing.

FAQ

Was the first marathon run in 490 BC?

The 490 BC run is a legend recorded by Herodotus and later writers. It is not considered a documented race, so the first organized marathon is generally dated to 1896.

Who won the first modern marathon?

Spyridon Louis, a Greek runner, won the 1896 Athens Olympic marathon in about 2 hours 58 minutes. He became a national hero in Greece.

Why is the marathon 26.2 miles long?

The distance was set at the 1908 London Olympics, and the International Association of Athletics Federations later standardized 42.195 kilometers as the official length.

Conclusion

The first modern marathon was run in 1896 at the Athens Olympics, inspired by a legend from 490 BC. The race covered about 40 kilometers, and the 26.2-mile distance came later in 1908. Keep these dates straight and you can answer the question with confidence.

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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.