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Up until around 15 years ago Marathon running appealed to a limited number of runners with just a handful of large events on the German Road Running calendar. Then came a boom which has seen the sport grow with many new marathon events being introduced. The challenge that once appealed
THE LEGEND OF MARATHON – How did marathon running start? A limited edition medal and booklet outlining the history of the marathon
Up until around 15 years ago Marathon running appealed to a limited number of runners with just a handful of large events on the German Road Running calendar. Then came a boom which has seen the sport grow with many new marathon events being introduced. The challenge that once appealed to a few thousand has now become a reality for millions of runners around the world.
Have you ever wondered where this all began? Believe it or not, this year marks the 2 500th anniversary of an event which triggered it all off and each runner who takes up the challenge to compete in a marathon during 2010 will have an opportunity to become part of that history.
1000KM PROMOTIONS, the world leader in medal design, manufacture, and suppliers to GRR has been commissioned by the Hellenic Athletics Association (SEGAS) and AIMS (Association of International Marathons and Distance Running), to promote a limited edition medal and booklet outlining the history of the marathon since the legendary first run in 490BC.
A website has been developed with a 3 minute video which portrays the main sequence of events with authentic black and white footage of the first marathon as we know it today right up until the current world record.
www.2500marathonanniversary.com
The legend of marathon – 2500marathonanniversary
The following is part of the history:
In 490BC the Persian Army sent an estimated 150 000 troops to invade Greece, in order to punish Athens for their part in the Ionian Revolt. The Persian military was considered one of the greatest fighting forces of the era, and the 9000 Athenians were fighting against all odds.
Despite being greatly outnumbered – and without the support of the Spartans – the Athenians fought and won the battle. The casualties were recorded as 192 Athenians and 6400 Persians. This battle was one of the proudest moments in the history of Athens. They beat the Persians, unassisted, for the first time on land.
The legend says that a brave Athenian messenger Pheidippides, ran the 40km (25 miles) from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens, to announce the Greek victory. According to legend Pheidippides then collapsed from exhaustion and died.
In April 1896 the first modern day Olympic Games were held. The Pheidippides’ legend was honoured through the final event which was a 40km (24.85 mile) run from Marathon Bridge to the Olympic Stadium in Athens. The host nation of Greece became ecstatic as Spiridon Louis, a Greek water carrier, won with a time of 2 hours, 58 minutes, 50 seconds. An endurance race called ‘The Marathon’ was born.
The next two Olympic Marathons were run over similar distances, being hosted in Paris in 1900 and St. Louis, USA in 1904, but it was at the 1908 Olympics in London where the Marathon was to find its now standard distance of 26 miles 385 yards (42.195km.) The video on www.2500marathonanniversary reveals the bizarre circumstances of the event with more details of the Legend of Marathon.
The following organizations will benefit from the sale of medals:
SAVE the CHILDREN Charity Fund
Association of International Marathons and Distance Running (AIMS) Development Fund
Hellenic Athletics Association (SEGAS) Development Fund
DO NOT DELAY – BECOME PART OF RUNNING HISTORY NOW
PLEASE SEE www.2500marathonanniversary.com
OR E-MAIL info@2500marathonanniversary.com
