Chapter 02 of 5
The Royal Distance
Why the marathon is 26.2 miles — and the race that broke a runner's body.
- The Puzzle
Why such an odd number?
The marathon is 42.195 km, or 26 miles 385 yards. That oddly precise distance traces back to a single race in London.
- Early Days
It used to vary
Early Olympic marathons were simply 'about 40 km'. The 1896, 1900 and 1904 races were all different lengths.
- 1908
London takes over
London stepped in to host the 1908 Olympics after Rome withdrew, and built a new stadium at White City in west London.
17 more cards in this chapter
Could you answer this?
Why was Dorando Pietri disqualified at the 1908 London marathon?
🏃 The Marathon: From Myth to Two Hours
- 01The Messenger Who Never WasHow a muddled ancient legend became the Olympics' most famous race.
- 02The Royal DistanceWhy the marathon is 26.2 miles — and the race that broke a runner's body.
- 03Barefoot Through RomeThe unknown Ethiopian who won the Olympic marathon without shoes.
- 04The Women Who Ran AnywayWomen were told they couldn't run 26.2 miles. They proved otherwise.
- 05Breaking TwoBiology, carbon-plated shoes and the first marathon under two hours.