Where did Marathons get their name?

Answer 1

Back during the way old greek war, the Greeks had just won a war. They needed a messenger, so they sent a messenger all the way to the city of marathon, Greece. This was exactly 26.2 miles, and that's how it got its name.

By the way, when he reached the gates of Marathon, he yelled "nike!" which means we won in greek.

Moments after, the messenger passed out and died.

Answer 2

When the Persian Empire sent a punitive expedition against Athens for interfering in its empire, Athens sent to Sparta for assistance. While waiting for these reinforcements, the Athenian army and its Plataean allies waited in the hills around the Plain of Marathon north of Athens, where the Persians had landed, where the Persian cavalry couldn't get at them.

After ten days, they noticed the Persian cavalry being loaded on ships and seized the opportunity to run down and defeat the unarmoured Persian infantry which was now unprotected by its cavalry.

After this victory, they realised where the departing ships were going - around to Athens to unload the Persian cavalry to gallop up to the undefended city where traitors would open the gates for them. The 18,000 Athenian armoured and light infantry ran back over the mountains the 26 miles to the city and formed up in front of the city just as the Persian cavalry was being disembarked. Frustrated, the Persians went home.

This feat of the 18,000 running soldiers is commemorated today in the 26-mile marathon races. The difference is that the pampered athletes of today don't have to carry armour and weapons and run in sandals - and they lived on a basic bread diet. I suppose their motivation of saving homes and families gave them that impetus.