Length of the marathon distance at the Olympic Games. Running distances. Marathon and interesting facts. Famous marathons in the world

Ancient Greek vase runners (circa 530 BC)

Quarter marathon distance, quarter marathon, is not an official discipline athletics, however, this distance has been actively attracting interest since the beginning of the 2010s in the world amateur running. Quarter marathons are held in parallel with marathons within the framework of traditional marathons and half marathons.

Story

Antiquity

According to legend, a Greek warrior named Pheidippides (according to other sources - Philippides) in 490 BC. e. after the Battle of Marathon, he ran without stopping from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory of the Greeks. Having reached Athens, he managed to shout: “Rejoice, Athenians, we have won!” and fell dead. This legend is not supported by documentary sources; according to Herodotus, Pheidippides (Greek. Φειδιππίδης ) was a messenger unsuccessfully sent for reinforcements from Athens to Sparta and covered a distance of 230 km in less than two days. The legend that he ran from Marathon to Athens first appeared in Plutarch's essay "The Glory of Athens" in the first century AD (more than 550 years after the actual events).

Modernity

International Olympic Committee in 1896 he measured the actual distance from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens; it turned out to be equal to 34.5 km. At the first modern Games in 1896 and at the 2004 Games, the marathon actually took place along a distance laid from Marathon to Athens.

The idea of ​​organizing such a race was proposed by the French philologist Michel Breal, who wanted this discipline to be introduced into the program of the first Olympic Games of modern times in 1896 in Athens. This idea was supported by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games, as well as its Greek organizers. The first qualifying marathon was held in Greece, in which Charilaos Vasilakos won, running the distance in 3 hours and 18 minutes. To the great delight of the Greek public, Spyridon Louis, the Greek water carrier who finished fifth in the qualifying run, became the winner at the first Olympic Games with a time of 2 hours 58 minutes 50 seconds. Even stopping along the way to drink a glass of wine offered by his uncle near the village of Chalandri did not stop the legendary runner. The women's marathon was first introduced into the program of the Summer Olympic Games (Los Angeles, USA) in 1984.

Distance

The length of the run was not initially fixed, since all that mattered was that all athletes ran along the same route. The exact length of the Olympic marathon depended on the route chosen at the respective Games.

The length of the distance was chosen quite arbitrarily. At the first Olympic Games it was equal to 40 km. The starting point for the 1908 London Olympics was moved from the 25 mile mark to the 42km 195m mark so that the Royal Family could comfortably watch the race from the windows of Windsor Castle. At the next Olympics in 1912, the length was changed to 40.2 km; in 1920 there was a new change to 42.75 km. In total, at the first seven Olympics there were 6 different marathon distances from 40 to 42.75 km (40 km was used twice).

The final length is 42.195 km as the official length marathon race was established in 1921 by the International Amateur Athletics Federation (present-day IAAF).

Olympic tradition

Since the first modern Olympic Games (1896), the men's marathon has been the final event of the athletics program, finishing at the main Olympic Stadium, often hours before closing or even as part of a closing program. Fidelity to this tradition was emphasized in the year when the marathon from Marathon to Athens ended at Panathinaikos Stadium, where the very first Olympic marathon finished in 1896.

Rules

Are common

The standard for conducting competitions is the rules developed by AIMS and gradually adopted by the IAAF. Thus, the rules for holding marathons are subject to general rules IAAF for road running. World records and other top achievements are recorded down to the second. The recommended elevation difference at a distance certified by the IAAF should not exceed 1/1000, that is, one meter per 1 kilometer of distance. If the elevation difference is more than 42 meters, then all results shown in this marathon are unofficial and world records cannot be ratified. The most famous marathons that do not meet IAAF standards due to large elevation changes are the Boston Marathon (136.29 m) and the Los Angeles Marathon (121.94 m). The length of the distance should not be less than 42,195 meters, and also no longer than 0.1% (42 meters).

Races in commercial marathons are usually run using a mass simultaneous start system. However, it is impossible for all participants to actually cross the starting line at the same time; this takes several minutes. Therefore, at AIMS-certified races, the organizers supply participants with special electronic chips that record the time they crossed the start line. For each finisher, not only the fact of finishing is taken into account, but also intermediate results, etc. “gross” and “net” time: from the moment of start and from the moment of crossing the starting line, respectively. In the final table, the results are arranged in ascending order: “gross” time is the official time. The participant’s diploma may also indicate “net” time.

World records

The marathon distance must meet IAAF standards for the best performance to be recognized as a world record. However, marathon routes still differ greatly in profile, altitude and quality of surface, which makes the comparison insufficiently objective. As a rule, marathons that take place on flat terrain, low above sea level, in comfortable weather and with the participation of pacemakers (runners who set the pace of movement) are the fastest.

The men's world record of 2:01.39 was set during the Berlin Marathon by 33-year-old Kenyan runner Eliud Kipchoge on September 16, 2018.

The world's best result among women was shown by Paula Radcliffe from Great Britain at the London Marathon on April 13, 2003: 2 hours 15 minutes 25 seconds; this time is shown with the help of male pacemakers. The world's best result among women without the participation of male pacers, 2 hours 17 minutes 1 second, was achieved by Kenyan Mary Keitany at the London Marathon in 2017.

10 fastest marathon runners

Men

Women

Physiology and training

A constant pace and maintaining the amount of water in the body are the two most important conditions during the marathon. Along the marathon route (usually every 5 km) there are food stations offering runners water, energy drinks and food (bananas, dried fruits, etc.).

Even for a trained person, completing a marathon is the hardest exercise stress, and preparing for it in advance is the most important condition for success. At sports societies Organizing marathons, there are running schools that offer individual preparation for completing a marathon or half-marathon, depending on timing and health. Six months of preparation is the usual minimum recommended time. The purpose of the training is to improve oxygen absorption, muscle condition, and, above all, to accustom the body to long-term physical activity.

London Marathon (2005). Runners at a food station

Running on long distances is a critical part of conditioning because it prepares the body to use fat more efficiently and store large amounts of glycogen in the muscles. An amateur should not run a marathon distance in training: it requires too long a recovery. Typically, the longest distances at the end of training are no more than 35 km. About a month before the marathon, the pace of training is significantly reduced, and in the last week before the marathon, amateur runners are recommended to do only short (5-10 km) runs.

The average untrained person has about 380 g of glycogen (1500 kcal) in the body. Intense running can easily lead to the expenditure of 600-800 kcal per hour, and if these reserves are not replenished, after a couple of hours the body completely wastes them (the turning point usually occurs at the 30 km mark of the marathon), and blood sugar levels drop. This causes a sudden feeling of extreme fatigue and powerlessness, “running into a wall.” At this phase, the body switches to using fat reserves; this takes time, and fat is a less effective “fuel”. Training and special nutrition can raise glycogen stores to 800 g (3500 kcal). Most athletes use a carbohydrate diet, and a large pasta dinner immediately the day before an event is almost a tradition among marathon runners and triathletes. Some researchers recommend a normal diet with intense workout

the day before the race.

The role of weather and start time For achievement high results it is advisable to choose best time start and distance profile. The optimal temperature for a marathon is about 14-16 °C. When the air temperature rises above 14-16 °C, the result worsens by an average of 40-60 seconds for each degree of increase in air temperature. Temperatures above 18 °C are already considered dangerous for some categories of runners, and at temperatures above 28 °C it is recommended to cancel the start. Overheating of the body is the main danger for a marathon runner. However, it must be remembered that high air temperature and solar radiation are far from decisive factors in overheating the body. The runner's thermoregulation is carried out by blowing the body and evaporating sweat - for this purpose special equipment is used, drinking during the race, correct tactics

and running strategy.

The start of most famous marathons is strictly tied to a date on the calendar and is known in advance. Usually his route is also constant. Although the weather is unpredictable in any case, the temperature of the event is determined by the time of year. Usually this is spring or autumn for the middle zone, for countries with a hot climate (for example, the Dubai Marathon in the UAE) - winter.

The usual start time for commercial marathons in the morning is approximately 8:30-11:00 am. When conducting marathons in the program of non-commercial competitions, the start time is tied to the general competition grid and the opening and closing ceremonies. In this case, the start can be given in the afternoon.

Classification and competition calendar

There are different types of marathons: extreme marathons - for example, races at the North Pole, in the desert, in the mountains and others. Marathon races are also held, in which sporting beginning is of secondary importance, and charitable and advertising purposes are pursued (eng. fun-run).

Competitions taking place on the highway, unlike stadium athletics disciplines, have their own schedule. Commercial marathons are mostly held in March-April and September-October, which coincides with the best weather conditions. In addition to the marathon race itself, the program of such competitions often includes races for athletes in wheelchairs and other cyclic sports disciplines.

In commercial marathons, as a rule, the start of the men's and women's races is held on the same day within one hour or even together. Depending on the organization of the competition, men's and women's program can be spaced out in time so that participants of different genders do not overlap. However, joint starts are also practiced, and then the problem arises of male pacemakers accompanying women from start to finish, which causes heated discussions among specialists.

The marathon is the only road running discipline included in Olympic program athletics. Unlike all other sports, it often happens that leading marathon athletes do not take part in the Olympic Games and major non-commercial competitions. This is due to a number of reasons. World-class marathon runners do not start marathons more than two or three times a year. Accordingly, they choose only certain competitions, and non-commercial competitions often do not fit into their schedule. For example, the Summer Olympics and World Championships are usually held in August, so athletes have to change their training schedule and entire training model. Another problem is the high temperature in summer, which does not allow marathon runners to perform at their best.

Famous marathon runs

European champion 2010, Swiss Victor Rothlin at the Zurich marathon (2007)

About 800 marathon races are held annually in many countries around the world. The oldest marathon in Europe is considered to be the Košice Marathon (Slovakia), which has been held since 1924. The most prestigious marathons are awarded a special status (label) by the IAAF: Gold, Silver and Bronze labels.

The most popular and prestigious Boston, New York, Chicago, London, Tokyo and Berlin marathons are part of the World Marathon Majors series and have a Gold Label. They host World Cup stages for professional marathon runners. The number of participants at the start reaches 30 thousand or more people. Other famous marathons ( Silver Label): Rotterdam Marathon, Amsterdam Marathon, Washington Marathon, Honolulu Marathon, Los Angeles Marathon, Rome Marathon and Paris Marathon.

The world's largest marathon races pay high, by athletics standards, prize money to the winners. So, for example, the general prize fund The Boston Marathon in 2008 was 796,000 USD, of which the winner is paid 150,000 USD. The winners of the Berlin Marathon among women and men in 2012 received $500 thousand.

For running fans it is considered an honor to simply take part in such a prestigious start together with leading athletes, joining the world athletics movement. However, some prestigious marathons are forced to hold a lottery among candidates due to the inability to accept everyone (New York and Berlin Marathons) or introduce qualifying standards for participants (Boston Marathon).

Marathons in Russia

About 50 marathons are held annually in Russia, about the same as in neighboring Finland. In general, the marathon movement in Russia lags far behind the world, given the number of large cities, residents and marathon participants. The largest in terms of the number of finishers: Moscow Marathon, Moscow International Peace Marathon, White Nights and Siberian International Marathon. Siberian International Marathon entered the list 50 best marathons in the world according to AIMS in 2011 and at the end of 2011, the first of the Russian marathons received the status Road Race Bronze IAAF.

Famous marathon runners

Serious marathon running schools exist in the USA, Russia (USSR), Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan and many European countries.

Abebe Bikila (Ethiopia) and Waldemar Cerpinski (GDR) became two-time Olympic marathon champions. A unique achievement belongs to Emil Zatopek (Czechoslovakia), who in 1952 won three gold medals at distances of 5000 m, 10,000 m and the marathon. At the same time, he ran a marathon for the first time in his life. Quadruple Olympic champion Lasse Viren tried to repeat Zatopek's success this year, but finished fifth in the marathon.

• The 42 km 195 meter run is the third event in the Ironman triathlon competition.
• Multiple marathons are completed through competitive and non-competitive runs. For example, in 2003, Briton Ranulph Fiennes ran 7 marathons in 7 days in seven parts of the world and continents. By 2014, “7 marathons on 7 continents in 7 days” had become a commercial product; the first female winner was Marianna Zaikova, Finland, in 2015.
• In 2010, Belgian Stefaan Engels decided to run a marathon every day of the year. After being injured in January, he “reset” his count and started again on February 5, 2010. On March 30, he beat the achievement of Spaniard Ricardo Abad Martinez, who ran 150 marathons in 150 days in 2009. On February 5, 2011, Stefan Engels ran his 365th marathon. “I don’t think the marathon was a year-long torture for me. It’s more of a regular job,” said the 49-year-old athlete. On average, he spent 4 hours per marathon, his best result was 2 hours 56 minutes. Ricardo Abad Martinez did not remain in debt. He ran 500 marathons in 500 days from October 1, 2010 to February 12, 2012.
• Johnny Kelly started the Boston Marathon 61 times from 1928 to 1992, finishing 58 of them and winning twice (1935 and 1945).
• On December 31, 2010, Alberta Canadian Martin Parnell, 55, a retired mine engineer, ran the marathon 250 times over the course of a year, covering 10,550 km, wearing out 25 pairs of running shoes, at times in temperatures below minus 30 o C.
• Spanish scientists have proven that marathon runners' bones are longer exposed to aging and destruction in old age.
• In 2003, Russian Sergei Burlakov took part in the New York Marathon and became the first person in the world with a quadruple amputation to walk 42 km 195 m. Sergei had both legs and hands amputated.
• On May 6, 2017, in a race on the Formula 1 circuit in Monza, 2016 Olympic champion Kenyan Eliud Kipchoge, with the help of a large group

The marathon, a discipline of athletics, is a race over a distance of 42 km 195 meters (26 miles 385 yards). The largest and most respected competitions are held on the road, but marathon starts on rough terrain and in extreme conditions are also known.
The road marathon has been an Olympic track and field discipline for men since 1896 and for women since 1984.
Half marathon distance, half marathon - 21 km 97.5 m is also a popular distance in road running, where individual races are held and world records are recorded.

Distance.

The length of the run was not initially fixed, since all that mattered was that all athletes ran along the same route. The exact length of the Olympic marathon depended on the route chosen at the respective Games.
The length was chosen quite arbitrarily. At the first Olympic Games it was equal to 40 km. The starting point for the 1908 London Olympics was moved from mile 25 to allow the Royal Family to view the race from Windsor Castle to 26 miles 385 yards (42 km 195 metres). At the next Olympics in 1912, the length was changed to 40.2 km, in 1920 a new change to 42.75 km. In total, at the first seven Olympics there were 6 different marathon distances from 40 to 42.75 km (40 km was used twice).
The final length of 42.195 km was established in 1921 by the International Athletics Federation (IAAF) as the official length of the marathon.
Since the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, the men's marathon has been the final event of the athletics program, finishing in the main Olympic stadium, often hours before closing time or even as part of the Closing program. Fidelity to this tradition was emphasized in 2004, when the marathon from Marathon to Athens ended at the Panathinaiko Stadium, where the very first Olympic marathon finished in 1896.

Nowadays it is very popular to run marathons, we recommend that you buy a hoodie - this universal item of clothing will help you in any weather. Comfortable sweaters will help you feel as comfortable as possible in any situation.

Competition rules

The rules for marathons are subject to the general IAAF rules for road running. World records and other top achievements are recorded down to the second. The recommended elevation difference on a distance certified by the IAAF should not exceed 1/1000, that is, one meter per kilometer run. The distance must be measured with an accuracy of 0.1% (42 meters).
Marathon races in commercial marathons are usually run using a mass simultaneous start system. However, in fact, it is impossible for all participants to cross the starting line at the same time. Therefore, at AIMS-certified races, the organizers supply participants with special electronic chips that record the time they crossed the start line. For each finisher, not only the fact of finishing is taken into account, but also intermediate results, etc. “gross” and “net” time: from the moment of start and from the moment of crossing the starting line, respectively. The official time is “gross”.

World records

World records were not officially recognized by the IAAF until January 1, 2004; before that, statistics were kept on the “best marathon results.” The marathon distance must meet IAAF standards for the best performance to be recognized as a world record. However, marathon routes still differ greatly in profile, altitude and quality of surface, which makes the comparison insufficiently objective. As a rule, marathons that take place on flat terrain, low above sea level, in comfortable weather and with the participation of pacemakers (runners who set the pace of movement) are the fastest.
The world record for men - 2 hours 3 minutes 59 seconds - was set during the Berlin Marathon by Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie on September 28, 2008.
The world's best result among women was shown by Paula Radcliffe from Great Britain at the London Marathon on April 13, 2003 - 2 hours 15 minutes 25 seconds; this time is shown with the help of male pacemakers. The world's fastest time for a woman without a man - 2 hours 17 minutes 42 seconds - was also achieved by Paula Radcliffe at the London Marathon on 17 April 2005.
The marathon places serious demands on the physical condition of participants. In order to achieve high results, the organizers choose the best start time and distance profile.
It is believed that the optimal temperature for a marathon is about +12°. Temperatures above +18° are already considered dangerous for some categories of runners, and at temperatures above +28° it is recommended to cancel the start. However, some competitions (for example, the Omsk Christmas Half Marathon) are held at significantly lower air temperatures (down to -39° in 2001).
Most of the world's prestigious marathons are held within large cities that suffer from air pollution problems. It is not advisable to start early in the morning, since it is in the morning that the concentration of smog at the surface of the earth is high and only with an increase in temperature it gradually rises with air currents during the day. The usual start time for commercial marathons in the morning is approximately 8:30-11:00 am.
When conducting marathons in the program of non-commercial competitions, the start time is tied to the general competition grid and the opening and closing ceremonies. In this case, the start can be given in the afternoon.
Famous marathon races
About 800 marathon races are held annually in many countries around the world.
The most popular and prestigious Boston Marathon, New York Marathon, Chicago, London and Berlin are included in the World Marathon Majors series; they host World Cup stages for professional marathon runners. The number of participants at the start reaches 30 thousand or more people. Other famous marathons take place in Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Washington, Honolulu, Los Angeles, Rome and Paris.
The world's largest marathon races pay high, by athletics standards, prize money to the winners. For example, the total prize fund for the Boston Marathon in 2008 was 796,000 USD, of which the winner is paid 150,000 USD.
Commercial marathons are open to almost everyone and all you need to do is go through a simple registration procedure. For amateurs, it is considered an honor to simply take part in such a prestigious start, together with leading athletes, joining the world athletics movement.

- Olympic running discipline. It is a road race over a distance of 42 km 195 meters. Marathons, the distances of which world records are recorded, should not have a height difference of more than 1 meter per kilometer of distance. However, marathons are held in completely different conditions. There are mountain marathons, when athletes cover a distance of 42 km 195 meters, running through the mountains; marathons are held in mines, in the Arctic, in deserts, etc.

1. World records in marathon running

The world record for running the marathon among men belongs to Kenyan athlete Dennis Kimetto, who covered 42 km 195 meters in 2 hours 2 minutes 57 seconds in 2014.

The world record in the women's marathon belongs to British athlete Paula Radcliffe, who completed the distance in 2 hours 15 minutes 25 seconds. This record has stood since 2003. In order to understand how outstanding this achievement is, it is worth saying that the closest result to the world record for women shown over the past 12 years is the result of Kenyan runner Mary Keitany, who ran the marathon in 2012 slower than Paula by 3 minutes 12 seconds .

2. Rank standards for marathon running among men

2. Rank standards for marathon running among women

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Marathon running is the most difficult sport sports activities, since the runner will need to cover a huge distance of 42 kilometers 195 meters. At the same time, the body receives very heavy loads, and the whole body performs difficult work, which must require hard training and willpower. How to prepare yourself for a marathon, what you need to correct execution marathon running techniques, and what problems await those who decide to run this distance? We will answer this in this material.

How modern marathon running began

This is the very personification of the spirit of the Olympics. The marathon has become part Olympic competitions at the debut games in 1896, which took place in Greece. Although race sizes have changed periodically, marathons always entered into competitions. The marathon was fully approved in 1924. At the same moment, it was established that 42 km and 195 are the marathon distance.

Such long races are actively practiced all over the world. For example, one of the most famous record holders is an Australian, Clayton, who set the world record for marathon running in 1969, running the distance in 2 hours and 8 minutes.

How do you run a marathon?

In order to participate, you need to undergo extensive training. Moreover, they must be comprehensive and also concern your mind. The athlete needs to cover at least 12 kilometers in each training session, which will last 3 months. By exercising at this rhythm, you will always be able to maintain the necessary muscle tone, doing yourself more resilient and strong, and also train your strong-willed qualities. He must also be ready to run a marathon, so such training can gradually accustom him to heavy loads. Except physical exercise You must also follow by choosing only nutritious and healthy foods.

The rules of the marathon race state that admission to the race is granted only to those athletes who have the appropriate doctor's certificate about your health, which must be provided 30 days before the start. As a rule, running takes place along a road, pedestrian or bicycle road. However, the beginning and end of the distance must take place at a sports stadium. should be ideally suited to these conditions for more comfortable functioning of the body.

Specialists who are responsible for planning a route, they develop it so that athletes can run as comfortably and safely as possible. The area where running competitions will take place must be restricted from the movement of cars and have no obstructing objects.

Violation of the rules may result in disqualification from the race. Marathon running competitions are held in cities around the world, separately for different genders.

What is unusual about the marathon?

During a marathon, your body works in extreme mode. So it's very important to be in excellent physical shape, including a trained musculoskeletal system and strengthened heart muscle.

Also significant is the state of your mental system. During a long race, our psyche is also overstrained, which is why not everyone can run a marathon. However, all this is what distinguishes an athlete who runs marathons - running such long distances, he significantly develops his speed, becomes more balanced and confident in his abilities, and also acquires the ability to relax during such stress.

During the passage you need to consider the following:

1. You need to develop your cardiovascular system, because it will take on enormous loads. As a result, the heart will learn to rebuild itself to work more successfully at high speed. marathon running. However, it is worth preparing gradually so that the body has time to get used to it.
2. During long runs, you lose a significant amount of fluid, which will come out through sweat. Therefore, the body temperature rises significantly, and this will lead to overheating.

How to properly prepare for a marathon

Athletes must prepare for marathon distances under the guidance of trainers, whose task will be to coordinate tasks to show more successful results. So, in order to complete the marathon distance you need:

• train, and also gradually increase the distance when running long distances. You also need to learn to run for high climbs. It is believed that to successfully complete a marathon, during training you need to run 20 to 30 kilometers at a time. After this, longer distances will be much easier to run.
• the next step will be to overcome daily 12 kilometers. According to experts, following this type of training for three months will mean the end of preparation for the marathon competition.

Although load distribution must be taken into account individual characteristics each athlete, as well as his own desire to improve his abilities. However, it is equally important for everyone to follow a systematic training routine, strengthen their body and mentally prepare for the competition.

Video. First competition in your life? Then marathon!