Sport and Games Atlas

How The Game Is Played
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme
Sport

Marathon

Track and Field Disciplines

The marathon is a long-distance foot race over 42.195 kilometres, about 26.22 miles, usually run as a road race though it can be covered on trail routes. It can be completed by running or with a run and walk strategy, and there are wheelchair divisions. The Wikipedia lead says more than 800 marathons are held worldwide each year, most of their competitors being recreational athletes, and the larger ones draw tens of thousands of participants. The race was devised by the French philologist Michel Breal, inspired by a story from Ancient Greece, and it was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896 in Athens, though the distance was not standardized until 1921. It is also contested at the World Athletics Championships, which began in 1983, and the article notes that the women's marathon joined the Olympic programme in 1984 and that the Boston Marathon, first run in 1897, is the oldest annual marathon.

Facts
Classification
Olympic Programme Status
Current Olympic Sport 1
Origin Year
1896 1
Marathon
Filter Results5 entries
Connections

Featured In

Source Berlin Marathon (Wikipedia)
Source Boston Marathon (Wikipedia)
Source Chicago Marathon (Wikipedia)
Source London Marathon (Wikipedia)
Source New York City Marathon (Wikipedia)
Source Tokyo Marathon (Wikipedia)

Played By

Source Abel Chelangat (Wikipedia)
Abel Kirui, Athletes
Source Abel Kirui (Wikipedia)
Source Afowiri Fondzenyuy (Wikipedia)
Alba Milana, Athletes
Source Alba Milana (Wikipedia)
Source Alberto Cavallero (Wikipedia)
Andrea Mayr, Athletes
Source Andrea Mayr (Wikipedia)
Anna Villani, Athletes
Source Anna Villani (Wikipedia)
Anton Sluka, Athletes
Source Anton Sluka (Wikipedia)
Source Antonella Bizioli (Wikipedia)
Source Antonio Persico (Wikipedia)
Source Bettina Sabatini (Wikipedia)
Source Bikila Tadese Takele (Wikipedia)
Source Brigid Kosgei (Wikipedia)
Source Catherine Ndereba (Wikipedia)
Source Dennis Kipruto Kimetto (Wikipedia)
Source Ellison Brown (Wikipedia)
Source Emilia Brangefält (Wikipedia)
Source Ernesto Alciati (Wikipedia)
Source Francesco Ruggero (Wikipedia)
Source Gebo Burka Gameda (Wikipedia)
Source Giannino Bulzone (Wikipedia)
Source Gioacchino De Palma (Wikipedia)
Source Giovanni D'Aleo (Wikipedia)
Source Giuseppe Ferrera (Wikipedia)
Source Herbert Steffny (Wikipedia)
Source Ingrid Kristiansen (Wikipedia)
Source İsmail Akçay (Wikipedia)
Source Jackline Cherono (Wikipedia)
Source Joyce Chepchumba (Wikipedia)
Source Kathrine Switzer (Wikipedia)
Source Katrin Dörre-Heinig (Wikipedia)
Source Khalid Khannouchi (Wikipedia)
Source Loretta Claiborne (Wikipedia)
Source Marco Marchei (Wikipedia)
Source Margaret Okayo (Wikipedia)
Martin Lel, Athletes
Source Martin Lel (Wikipedia)
Source Meb Keflezighi (Wikipedia)
Mekdes Woldu, Athletes
Source Mekdes Woldu (Wikipedia)
Source Michele Fanelli (Wikipedia)
Paola Moro, Athletes
Source Paola Moro (Wikipedia)
Source Peres Jepchirchir (Wikipedia)
Source Priscah Jeptoo (Olympedia)
Rosa Chacha, Athletes
Source Rosa Chacha (Wikipedia)
Rosa Mota, Athletes
Source Rosa Mota (Wikipedia)
Source Samuel Wanjiru (Wikipedia)
Source Shigeki Tanaka (Wikipedia)
Source Stefano Natale (Wikipedia)
Tiki Gelana, Athletes
Source Tiki Gelana (Wikipedia)
Tito Sena, Athletes
Source Tito Sena (Wikipedia)
Source Tsegaye Kebede (Olympedia)

Showing 1 to 50 of 55 in Played By, page 1 of 2.

In the Other Atlases

Found In

Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.

Source Marathon (Wikipedia)Lead [origin-region]
Quote, Lead [origin-region]
inspired by a story from Ancient Greece
Sources
1. Marathon (Wikipedia)
  • Lead
    the marathon was one of the original modern Olympic events in 1896 in Athens
  • Modern Olympic marathon
    The Olympic men's record is 2:06:26, set at the 2024 Summer Olympics by Tamirat Tola of Ethiopia.
  • Lead [origin-region]
    inspired by a story from Ancient Greece
View the Source
Samuel Wanjiru (Wikipedia)
Played By: Samuel Wanjiru, Lead paragraph
Quote, Played By: Samuel Wanjiru, Lead paragraph
was a Kenyan long-distance runner who won the 2008 Beijing Olympics Marathon
View the Source
Tsegaye Kebede (Olympedia)
Played By: Tsegaye Kebede, Olympedia athlete page, biography and results
Quote, Played By: Tsegaye Kebede, Olympedia athlete page, biography and results
Marathon, Men
View the Source
Dennis Kipruto Kimetto (Wikipedia)
Played By: Dennis Kipruto Kimetto, Lead
Quote, Played By: Dennis Kipruto Kimetto, Lead
world record holder in the men's marathon
View the Source
Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich (source article)
Played By: Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, Lead paragraph
Quote, Played By: Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, Lead paragraph
is a Kenyan long-distance runner who competes primarily in the marathon
View the Source
Abel Kirui (Wikipedia)
Played By: Abel Kirui, Lead
Quote, Played By: Abel Kirui, Lead
is a long-distance runner from Kenya who competes in marathons
View the Source
Tiki Gelana (Wikipedia)
Played By: Tiki Gelana, Lead
Quote, Played By: Tiki Gelana, Lead
is an Ethiopian long-distance runner who competes in marathon races
View the Source
Andrea Mayr (Wikipedia)
Played By: Andrea Mayr, Lead, marathon
Quote, Played By: Andrea Mayr, Lead, marathon
She set her personal best (2:30:43) in the women's marathon on 19 April 2009, winning the Vienna City Marathon.
View the Source
Loretta Claiborne (Wikipedia)
Played By: Loretta Claiborne, Biography
Quote, Played By: Loretta Claiborne, Biography
She has completed over 25 marathons
View the Source
Boston Marathon (Wikipedia)
Featured In: Boston Marathon, Lead
Quote, Featured In: Boston Marathon, Lead
is an annual marathon race hosted by eight cities and towns in greater Boston
View the Source
İsmail Akçay (Wikipedia)
Played By: İsmail Akçay, Introduction
Quote, Played By: İsmail Akçay, Introduction
He specialized in marathon events.
View the Source
Katrin Dörre-Heinig (Wikipedia)
Played By: Katrin Dörre-Heinig, Lead
Quote, Played By: Katrin Dörre-Heinig, Lead
is a former athlete from Germany, who competed mainly in the marathon.
View the Source
Ingrid Kristiansen (Wikipedia)
Played By: Ingrid Kristiansen, Career
Quote, Played By: Ingrid Kristiansen, Career
She won 14 out of 26 marathons entered.
View the Source
Martin Lel (Wikipedia)
Played By: Martin Lel, Lead
Quote, Played By: Martin Lel, Lead
is a Kenyan professional long distance and marathon runner
View the Source
Margaret Okayo (Wikipedia)
Played By: Margaret Okayo, Lead
Quote, Played By: Margaret Okayo, Lead
is a professional Kenyan marathon runner
View the Source
Brigid Kosgei (Wikipedia)
Played By: Brigid Kosgei, Lead, sport
Quote, Played By: Brigid Kosgei, Lead, sport
is a Kenyan long-distance runner who specialises in the marathon
View the Source
Joyce Chepchumba (Wikipedia)
Played By: Joyce Chepchumba, Lead, sport marathon
Quote, Played By: Joyce Chepchumba, Lead, sport marathon
who won a bronze medal in marathon at the 2000 Summer Olympics
View the Source
Alberto Cavallero (Wikipedia)
Played By: Alberto Cavallero, Biography
Quote, Played By: Alberto Cavallero, Biography
He competed in the marathon at the 1924 Summer Olympics
View the Source
Bikila Tadese Takele (Wikipedia)
Played By: Bikila Tadese Takele, Career
Quote, Played By: Bikila Tadese Takele, Career
He made his marathon debut at the 2023 Berlin Marathon
View the Source
Giovanni D'Aleo (Wikipedia)
Played By: Giovanni D'Aleo, Lead
Quote, Played By: Giovanni D'Aleo, Lead
who won silver medal in the marathon at the 1983 Summer Universiade
View the Source
Khalid Khannouchi (Wikipedia)
Played By: Khalid Khannouchi, Lead
Quote, Played By: Khalid Khannouchi, Lead
former world record holder for the marathon
View the Source
Meb Keflezighi (Wikipedia)
Played By: Meb Keflezighi, Lead, marathon
Quote, Played By: Meb Keflezighi, Lead, marathon
He is the 2004 Olympic silver medalist in the marathon
View the Source
Peres Jepchirchir (Wikipedia)
Played By: Peres Jepchirchir, Lead, marathon
Quote, Played By: Peres Jepchirchir, Lead, marathon
She won the gold medal in the women's marathon
View the Source
Paola Moro (Wikipedia)
Played By: Paola Moro, Biography
Quote, Played By: Paola Moro, Biography
ended up in 20th place in the women's marathon
View the Source
Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima (Wikipedia)
Played By: Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, Lead
Quote, Played By: Vanderlei Cordeiro de Lima, Lead
While leading the marathon after 35 km (22 mi) at the 2004 Summer Olympics
View the Source
Afowiri Fondzenyuy (Wikipedia)
Played By: Afowiri Fondzenyuy, Lead
Quote, Played By: Afowiri Fondzenyuy, Lead
Fondzenyuy began participating in marathons in early 2011, initially competing in triathlons that combined swimming, cycling, and running.
View the Source
Antonio Persico (Wikipedia)
Played By: Antonio Persico, Lead
Quote, Played By: Antonio Persico, Lead
He competed in the marathon at the 1920 Summer Olympics but did not finish the race.
View the Source
Giannino Bulzone (Wikipedia)
Played By: Giannino Bulzone, Lead
Quote, Played By: Giannino Bulzone, Lead
He competed in the marathon at the 1936 Summer Olympics.
View the Source
Mekdes Woldu (Wikipedia)
Played By: Mekdes Woldu, Lead
Quote, Played By: Mekdes Woldu, Lead
She ran her first marathon in Hamburg in April 2023, achieving the third-best performance of all time by a French woman
View the Source
Tito Sena (Wikipedia)
Played By: Tito Sena, Lead
Quote, Played By: Tito Sena, Lead
He won a silver medal in the marathon at the 2008 Paralympics and a gold at the 2012 Games.
View the Source
Emilia Brangefält (Wikipedia)
Played By: Emilia Brangefält, Lead
Quote, Played By: Emilia Brangefält, Lead
Emilia Brangefält (10 May 2002-13 November 2023) was a Swedish marathon, trail and sky runner.
View the Source
Giuseppe Ferrera (Wikipedia)
Played By: Giuseppe Ferrera, Lead
Quote, Played By: Giuseppe Ferrera, Lead
He competed in the marathon at the 1928 Summer Olympics.
View the Source
Vito Di Terlizzi (Wikipedia)
Played By: Vito Di Terlizzi, Lead
Quote, Played By: Vito Di Terlizzi, Lead
He competed in the marathon at the 1960 Summer Olympics.
View the Source
Catherine Ndereba (Wikipedia)
Played By: Catherine Ndereba, Lead
Quote, Played By: Catherine Ndereba, Lead
is a retired Kenyan marathon runner
View the Source
Alba Milana (Wikipedia)
Played By: Alba Milana, Biography, marathon
Quote, Played By: Alba Milana, Biography, marathon
There she ended up in 12th place in the women's marathon.
View the Source
Bettina Sabatini (Wikipedia)
Played By: Bettina Sabatini, Biography, marathon
Quote, Played By: Bettina Sabatini, Biography, marathon
Bettina Sabatini (born 21 March 1966 in Aalborg, Denmark) is a retired female marathon runner from Italy.
View the Source
Gioacchino De Palma (Wikipedia)
Played By: Gioacchino De Palma, Biography, marathon
Quote, Played By: Gioacchino De Palma, Biography, marathon
He competed in the marathon at the 1968 Summer Olympics.
View the Source
Michele Fanelli (Wikipedia)
Played By: Michele Fanelli, Biography, marathon
Quote, Played By: Michele Fanelli, Biography, marathon
He competed in the marathon at the 1932 Summer Olympics.
View the Source
Tullio Biscuola (Wikipedia)
Played By: Tullio Biscuola, Biography, marathon
Quote, Played By: Tullio Biscuola, Biography, marathon
Biscuola competed in the marathon at the 1924 Summer Olympics, which was his only cap for the national team.
View the Source
Rosa Mota (Wikipedia)
Played By: Rosa Mota, Lead
Quote, Played By: Rosa Mota, Lead
is a Portuguese former marathon runner
View the Source
Jackline Cherono (Wikipedia)
Played By: Jackline Cherono, Lead
Quote, Played By: Jackline Cherono, Lead
is a Kenyan marathon runner
View the Source
Abel Chelangat (Wikipedia)
Played By: Abel Chelangat, Lead
Quote, Played By: Abel Chelangat, Lead
represented Uganda at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in the Marathon
View the Source
Antonella Bizioli (Wikipedia)
Played By: Antonella Bizioli, Lead
Quote, Played By: Antonella Bizioli, Lead
specialized in the marathon race
View the Source
Gebo Burka Gameda (Wikipedia)
Played By: Gebo Burka Gameda, Lead
Quote, Played By: Gebo Burka Gameda, Lead
who specialized in the marathon
View the Source
Marco Marchei (Wikipedia)
Played By: Marco Marchei, Biography
Quote, Played By: Marco Marchei, Biography
in the men's marathon on 14 August 1983 at the World Championships
View the Source
Stefano Natale (Wikipedia)
Played By: Stefano Natale, Lead
Quote, Played By: Stefano Natale, Lead
He competed in the marathon at the 1928 Summer Olympics
View the Source
Anna Villani (Wikipedia)
Played By: Anna Villani, Lead
Quote, Played By: Anna Villani, Lead
is a retired female marathon runner from Italy
View the Source
Ernesto Alciati (Wikipedia)
Played By: Ernesto Alciati, Lead
Quote, Played By: Ernesto Alciati, Lead
He participated in the 1924 Summer Olympics marathon but did not finish.
View the Source
Francesco Ruggero (Wikipedia)
Played By: Francesco Ruggero, Biography
Quote, Played By: Francesco Ruggero, Biography
He competed in the marathon at the 1912 Summer Olympics.
View the Source
Kathrine Switzer (Wikipedia)
Played By: Kathrine Switzer, Later competition
Quote, Played By: Kathrine Switzer, Later competition
Switzer was the women's winner of the 1974 New York City Marathon
View the Source
Shigeki Tanaka (Wikipedia)
Played By: Shigeki Tanaka, 1951 Boston Marathon
Quote, Played By: Shigeki Tanaka, 1951 Boston Marathon
Tanaka won the marathon racing in tabi-inspired split-toe running shoes
View the Source
Zensaku Motegi (Wikipedia)
Played By: Zensaku Motegi, Lead
Quote, Played By: Zensaku Motegi, Lead
He competed in the 10,000 metres and the marathon at the 1920 Summer Olympics.
View the Source
Anton Sluka (Wikipedia)
Played By: Anton Sluka, Lead
Quote, Played By: Anton Sluka, Lead
competing mainly in category B3 marathon events
View the Source
Rosa Chacha (Wikipedia)
Played By: Rosa Chacha, Lead
Quote, Played By: Rosa Chacha, Lead
She is a four-time Olympian in the marathon
View the Source
London Marathon (Wikipedia)
Featured In: London Marathon, Lead, event type
Quote, Featured In: London Marathon, Lead, event type
The London Marathon is an annual marathon held in London, England
View the Source
Berlin Marathon (Wikipedia)
Featured In: Berlin Marathon, Lead, event type
Quote, Featured In: Berlin Marathon, Lead, event type
is a marathon event held annually on the streets of Berlin, Germany
View the Source
Chicago Marathon (Wikipedia)
Featured In: Chicago Marathon, Lead, event type
Quote, Featured In: Chicago Marathon, Lead, event type
The Chicago Marathon is a road marathon held in October in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
View the Source
New York City Marathon (Wikipedia)
Featured In: New York City Marathon, Lead, event type
Quote, Featured In: New York City Marathon, Lead, event type
is an annual marathon (42.195 km or 26.219 mi) that courses through the five boroughs of New York City, United States
View the Source
Tokyo Marathon (Wikipedia)
Featured In: Tokyo Marathon, Lead, event type
Quote, Featured In: Tokyo Marathon, Lead, event type
is an annual marathon sporting event in Tokyo, Japan
View the Source
Priscah Jeptoo (Olympedia)
Played By: Priscah Jeptoo, Results
Quote, Played By: Priscah Jeptoo, Results
Marathon, Women
View the Source
Herbert Steffny (Wikipedia)
Played By: Herbert Steffny, Professional career, marathon
Quote, Played By: Herbert Steffny, Professional career, marathon
Steffny was the German champion in the 1985 marathon run
View the Source
Ellison Brown (Wikipedia)
Played By: Ellison Brown, Lead, marathon
Quote, Played By: Ellison Brown, Lead, marathon
Brown ran the marathon in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin
View the Source

Take a Related Quiz

Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.

View At A Past Year

Choose a year to see this entry's facts and connections as the atlas records them at that moment: what it held then, what it held instead, and what it had not yet adopted. Choose Present for the current record.