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The length of a marathon was at first not fixed, since all that was important was that all athletes competed on the same course. The exact length of an Olympic marathon varied depending on the route established for each venue.

The choice of distance was somewhat arbitrary. The first modern Olympics in 1896 had a marathon distance of 40 km. The starting point for the 1908 Olympic marathon in London was modified so that the Royal Family could have a good view and the length happened to be 42.195 km (26 miles 385 yards). For the next Olympics in 1912, the length was changed to 40.2 km and changed again to 42.75 km for the 1920 Olympics. Of the first 7 Olympic games, there were 6 different marathon distances between 40 and 42.75 km (40 km being used twice).

A fixed distance of 42.195 km was adopted in 1921 by the International Amateur Athletic Federation (IAAF) as the official marathon distance.

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Q: Why is the length of the marathon 26 miles and 385 yards?
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Why is the length of a marathon 26 miles and 385 yards?

The event commemorates the fabled run by the Greek soldier Pheidippides from the Battle of Marathon to Athens which was a distance of 26 miles and 385 yards.


What is the length of a marthon race?

The marathon is a road race distance of exactly 42.195 km, as defined by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), and the Road Running Technical Council of USA Track & Field (RRTC/USATF). The conversion of this distance into Imperial units is approximately -- not exactly -- 26.21876 miles, a distance that is commonly rounded to 26.2 mile. The official length is 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards)It depends on the Marathon.


How many yards in marathon?

A marathon is defined as 42.195 kilometers exactly. This converts to 26 miles 385 yards -- or 26.21876 miles.


How long is the sea bank marathon?

The same length as any other marathon, 26 miles 385 yards/42.195 km.


How long is marathon in miles?

26 miles 385 yards


How long is the women's marathon?

All marathons are competed over a course that is 26.2 miles in length.


How long is the Olympic marathon race?

The race is 42.195 kilometers.An ordinary marathon is a tiny bit shorter at 46,145 yards (26 miles + 385 yards, about 26.22 miles).26 miles and 385 yards.


How many miles is London Marathon?

26 miles 385 yards


How far is the marathon to the nearest mile?

The official standard marathon length is 26 miles (and 385 yards) according to the International Amateur Athletic Federation.


How much is a meter in26 miles and 385?

A marathon is 26 miles 385 yards = 42,195 metres


What 26 M and 385 Y in a M?

26 miles and 385 yards in a marathon.


How many yards is a marathon?

A marathon has a distance of 26 miles 385 yards. There are 1760 yards in one mile. There are 91.44 centimetres in one yard. Therefore, 26 miles 385 yards is equal to (91.44 x 1760 x 26) + (91.44 x 385) = 4219498.8 centimetres.