Why is a marathon exactly 26.2 miles
The marathon's exact 26.2-mile distance was arbitrarily established in 1908 for the London Olympics so the royal family could watch the start from Windsor Castle.
The marathon's precise distance of 42.195 kilometers (26.219 miles) isn't ancient tradition, but a surprisingly modern and arbitrary choice! The original 1896 Olympic marathon was roughly 40 km, inspired by the legend of Pheidippides' run from Marathon to Athens.
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