Why is a marathon 26.2 miles? You can thank the British royal family for that

Every year, hundreds of thousands of runners train for one of the world's most demanding athletic challenges: the 26.2-mile marathon. But why exactly 26.2 miles, rather than a simple 25 or 30? The answer has less to do with ancient Greece, where the marathon legend began, and more to do with a British royal preference. This information was reported by History.com in an article originally published on October 29, 2014, and last updated on May 28, 2025.

The ancient Greek legend

The story begins in 490 B.C. when Greeks defeated an invading Persian army at the Battle of Marathon. According to popular legend, an Athenian messenger named Pheidippides (Philippides in earlier texts) was dispatched to carry news of the triumph back to the capital, running roughly 25 miles through rugged terrain. Upon reaching his destination, he gasped out, "Rejoice, we conquer!" According to the popular legend, he delivered the news before collapsing and dying from exhaustion.

The modern Olympic revival

When the Olympic Games were revived in Athens in 1896, organizers wanted a landmark endurance race that honored ancient Greek history. They recreated the messenger's trek by establishing a 25-mile footrace stretching from the town of Marathon to the Olympic Stadium in Athens. Local hero Spyridon Louis won that inaugural race in front of a roaring crowd estimated to be around 100,000, instantly solidifying the "marathon" as a fan favorite finale for the future games. 

The Royal British adjustment

For the next few Olympics, the race distances fluctuated around 25 miles, but everything changed at the 1908 London Olympics. For the event, the route was adjusted so the race could begin at Windsor Castle, allowing members of the royal family to watch the start. The finish was then positioned in front of the royal box at White City Stadium, where Queen Alexandra and King Edward VII were seated, extending the distance to 26 miles and 385 yards.

Modern American runner insights

Since that race, the landscape of running has undergone a significant transformation. According to Running USA’s 2024 Global Runner Survey, which included responses from over 7,400 individuals, more than 94% of whom are from the United States, runners are increasingly favoring short-distance events. Approximately 35% of participants identified half marathons as their favorite races. Notably, 27% of these runners expressed plans to compete in a full marathon in the future. This underscores the demanding nature of the full marathon, making it one of the most grueling events in the sport.

Standardizing the decimal

The extra 385 yards became part of one of the race's most dramatic moments during the 1908 event when exhausted Italian runner Dorando Pietri collapsed near the finish and had to be helped across the line, leading to his disqualification and instant global fame. The drama of the 1908 race helped cement the new distance in the public imagination. In 1921, the International Amateur Athletic Federation officially standardized the marathon at 26 miles and 385 yards — or 26.2 miles.

More on Scoop Upworthy

This Taco Bell ultramarathon has one unique condition: You must eat 9 meals in 31 miles

Barcelona coffee shop closes mid-day so owner can deliver his best customer’s mid-marathon order

Man detests running but ran a half-marathon anyway — just to surprise his marathon-loving wife