Have you ever run in a marathon? It is a race with a distance of 26.219 miles, usually on a road.
I haven't! I didn't actually know a marathon was over 26 miles even though I know a lot of people who have run in one. Is that why they have to be on a road?
They don't have to be, but they would be much harder if they weren't. The Marathon was instituted in commemoration of the fabled Battle of Marathon in Athens.
Was that before or after the olympics were created?
It was after the Olympics. In the battle a Greek soldier ran from the battlefield to report the victory.
wow. Do you know what the Soldier's name was?
Yes, the soldier's name was Pheidippides. The Marathon came to be part of the Olympics later on.
I didn't realise they were all created in Greece! Are you a marathon runner?
No, I have only done a half marathon but did not run the whole way. My father is and has run in the Boston Marathon several times!
What is the best time he has run? Do you know what the world record is?