10 Fascinating Facts about Marathon to Get Kids Excited

Marathon running is a popular activity for people of all ages, but it can be especially interesting to kids aged 13 to 8. There is so much to the history and science behind marathon running that many kids don't know about. Here are 10 fascinating facts about marathon running that your kids may not know, yet will definitely find interesting. 1. The first marathon took place in the ancient Greek city of Marathon in 490 BC. A Greek messenger ran from the battle site in Marathon to Athens to deliver news of the victory. This run became the first marathon. 2. The marathon distance is 26.2 miles and is based on the route of the first marathon from Marathon to Athens.

3. The first modern marathon was run in the 1896 Olympic Games in Athens to honor the original marathon run. 4. The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, having first been run in 1897. 5. Women weren’t allowed to run the Boston Marathon until 1972. 6. Running a marathon can burn between 2,000-5,000 calories, depending on the individual’s pace and weight. 7. The world record for finishing a marathon is two hours, two minutes, and 57 seconds, set by Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya. 8. The winner of the first Boston Marathon was John McDermott of the United States. He finished with a time of 2:55:10. 9. Marathon running can help reduce the risk of stroke, diabetes, and some types of cancer. 10. The longest continuous marathon ever run was in India where a man ran for nearly 7 days straight and covered 2,117 kilometers (1,314 miles). These 10 facts about marathon running are sure to make your 13 to 8 year old kids excited to learn more about the sport.