A marathon is a long-distance running race of about 42.2 kilometers (26.2 miles). People also use the word for any activity that lasts a very long time and requires a lot of effort.
Named after Marathon, a town in ancient Greece. According to legend, a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to announce a military victory, inspiring the modern race.
The marathon distance was inspired by a legendary emergency run in armor, not a casual jog. Today we use 'binge-watching marathon' the same way—an exhausting, drawn-out effort, just with a couch instead of a battlefield.
Marathon running was historically restricted to men in many competitions; women were barred or unofficial for decades, with major races only formally recognizing women’s participation and records in the late 20th century. This exclusion shaped public narratives about endurance and athletic capability.
Use marathon neutrally for any long‑distance race or extended effort, and avoid implying that endurance achievements are more remarkable for one gender than another. When discussing race history, note when women’s categories were added and how policies changed.
["long‑distance race","endurance event","ultra‑distance race"]
Women distance runners challenged bans by running unofficially or under numbers assigned to men, and their performances were key in overturning myths about women’s physical limits and changing race policies.
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