1. Short History & Explanation Set of simple rules Photos
Marathon
Short History & Explanation
Set of simple rules
Photos

2. What is a Marathon? The marathon is a long-distance running
event with an official distance of
kilometers (26 miles) that is usually run as a
road race.

3. History of Marathon
The name marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek soldier, who was sent from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the Senate, exclaiming "Νενικήκαμεν" (Nenikékamen, 'We have won') before collapsing and dying of exhaustion.

4. Marathon in Modern Olympics
In 1896 Olympic Games, in Athens, Marathon was the 6th event on the 5th day. (photo)The winner of the Marathon race Spyridon Louis

5. Set of Rules. Before the race
During the last two or three weeks before the marathon, runners reduce their weekly training.
During the week before the marathon, marathoners increase carbohydrate intake by eating spaghetti, bread and cereals to allow their bodies to store more glycogen.
Immediately before the race, many runners refrain from eating solid food to avoid digestive problems.
They drink plenty of water.
They stretch before the race to keep muscles limber.

6. Marathon records Men's Olympic Marathon Times - 1990 to 2010
                                                                      
Men's Olympic Marathon Times to 2010
Aug 9, Men's Olympic Marathon Hwang Young Cho (Korea) - 2:13:23 Olympic Marathon, Barcelona, Spain
Aug 3, Men's Olympic Marathon Josia Thugwane (South Africa) - 2:12:36 Olympic Marathon, Atlanta, USA
Oct 1, Men's Olympic Marathon Gezahgne Abera (Ethiopia) - 2:10:11 Olympic Marathon, Sydney, Australia
Aug 29, Men's Olympic Marathon Stefano Baldini (Italy) - 2:10:55 Olympic Marathon, Athens, Greece
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