View source for Marathon

{{Short description|Long-distance running event of 42.195 kilometres}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Infobox athletics event
|event= Marathon
|image= BSK CSOB MARATON046 (33791445325).jpg
|image_size= 250px
|caption= Competitors during the 2017 [[Bratislava Marathon]]
|WRmen= {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Sabastian Sawe]]|KEN}} 1:59:30 (2026)}}
|ORmen= {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Tamirat Tola]]|ETH}} 2:06:26 (2024)}}
|CRmen= {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Tamirat Tola]]|ETH}} 2:05:36 (2022)}}
|WRwomen= {{Small|'''{{AthAbbr|Mx}}''': {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Ruth Chepng'etich]]|KEN}} 2:09:56 (2024)}}}}
<br />{{Small|'''{{AthAbbr|Wo}}''': {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Tigst Assefa]]|ETH}} 2:15:41 (2026)}}}}
|ORwomen= {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Sifan Hassan]]|NED}} 2:22:55 (2024)}}
|CRwomen= {{nowrap|{{flagathlete|[[Gotytom Gebreslase]]|ETH}} 2:18:11 (2022)}}
}}

The '''marathon''' is a long-distance foot race with a distance of {{val|42.195}} kilometres ({{ca}} 26.22 mi),<ref name=IAAF>{{cite web|url=http://www.bcathletics.org/main/rr_iaaf.htm|title=IAAF Competition Rules for Road Races|year=2009|publisher=International Association of Athletics Federations|access-date=1 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923182842/http://www.bcathletics.org/main/rr_iaaf.htm|archive-date=23 September 2015}}</ref> usually run as a [[road running|road race]], but the distance can be covered on trail routes. The marathon can be completed by running or with a run/walk strategy. There are also [[Wheelchair racing|wheelchair divisions]]. More than 800 marathons are held worldwide each year, with the vast majority of competitors being recreational athletes, as larger marathons can have tens of thousands of participants.<ref>{{cite web|title=Marathons in history with >30,000 finishers|url=http://www.aims-worldrunning.org/statistics/World%27s_Largest_Marathons.html|website=AIMS: World Running|publisher=[[Association of International Marathons and Distance Races]]|access-date=21 March 2017|date=11 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310153553/http://www.aims-worldrunning.org/statistics/World%27s_Largest_Marathons.html|archive-date=10 March 2017}}</ref>

A creation of the French [[philologist]] [[Michel Bréal]] inspired by a story from [[Ancient Greece]], the marathon was one of the original modern [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] events in 1896 in [[Athens]]. The distance did not become standardized until 1921. The distance is also included in the [[World Athletics Championships]], which began in 1983. It is the only running road race included in both championship competitions (walking races on roads are also contested in both).

==History==
===Origin===
[[File:Phidippides.jpg|thumb|[[Luc-Olivier Merson]]'s 1869 painting depicting the runner announcing the victory at the [[Battle of Marathon]] to the people of [[Athens]]]]

The name ''Marathon'' comes from the legend of [[Pheidippides]], the Greek messenger. The legend states that while he was taking part in the [[Battle of Marathon]], which took place in August or September 490 BC,<ref>{{cite web|title=Astronomers Unravel Marathon Mystery|url=http://www.skyandtelescope.com/press-releases/astronomers-unravel-marathon-mystery-2/|website=Sky & Telescope|access-date=21 March 2017|date=19 July 2004|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211130116/http://www.skyandtelescope.com/press-releases/astronomers-unravel-marathon-mystery-2/|archive-date=11 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> he witnessed a Persian vessel changing its course towards [[Athens]] as the battle was near a victorious end for the Greek army. He interpreted this as an attempt by the defeated [[Persians]] to rush into the city to claim a false victory or simply raid,<ref name=galloway>{{cite web |url = http://www.jeffgalloway.com/retreats/athens.html |title=Retreats&nbsp;— Athens |publisher=Jeffgalloway.com |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601183948/http://jeffgalloway.com/retreats/athens.html |archive-date= 1 June 2009 }}</ref> hence claiming their authority over Greek land. It was said that he ran the entire distance to Athens without stopping, discarding his weapons and even clothes to lose as much weight as possible, and burst into the [[Athenian Assembly|assembly]], exclaiming "we have won!", before collapsing and dying.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/faq10.html |title=Ancient Olympics FAQ 10 |publisher=Perseus.tufts.edu |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720020404/http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/Olympics/faq10.html |archive-date=20 July 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The account of the run from Marathon to Athens first appeared in [[Plutarch]]'s ''On the Glory of Athens'' in the first century AD, which quoted from [[Heraclides Ponticus]]'s lost work, giving the runner's name as either Thersipus of Erchius or Eucles.<ref>Moralia 347C</ref> Satirist [[Lucian of Samosata]] gave one of the earliest accounts similar to the modern version of the story, but its historical veracity is disputed based on its tongue-in-cheek writing and the runner being referred to as Philippides and not Pheidippides.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Myth of Pheidippides and the Marathon |url=http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/sports/2010/april/Myth-of-Pheidippides-and-the-Marathon.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106143318/http://www.findingdulcinea.com/news/sports/2010/april/Myth-of-Pheidippides-and-the-Marathon.html |archive-date=6 November 2018 |access-date=7 May 2019 |website=findingdulcinea.com|date=4 November 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://lucianofsamosata.info/wiki/doku.php?id=home:texts_and_library:essays:a-slip-of-the-tongue-in-salutation#section3|title=A slip of the tongue in salutation, Chapter 3; The Works of Lucian of Samosata. Translated by Fowler, H.W. and F.G.; Oxford: The Clarendon Press. 1905|website=The Lucian of Samosata Project |access-date=2026-02-25}}; {{cite web|url=http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A2008.01.0516%3Asection%3D3|title=The Greek original of the text of Chapter 3|website=Lucian, Pro lapsu inter salutandum @ perseus.tufts.edu |access-date=2026-02-25}}</ref>

There is debate about the historical accuracy of this legend.<ref name=Prologue>{{cite web |url=http://www.marathonguide.com/history/olympicmarathons/prologue.cfm |title=Prologue: The Legend |publisher=Marathonguide.com |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090416112356/http://www.marathonguide.com/history/olympicmarathons/prologue.cfm |archive-date=16 April 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Holland, Tom (2007) ''Persian Fire'', Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, {{ISBN|0307386988}}.</ref> The Greek historian [[Herodotus]], the main source for the [[Greco-Persian Wars]], mentioned Philippides as the messenger who ran from [[Athens]] to [[Sparta]] asking for help, and then ran back, a distance of over {{convert|240|km|mi}} each way.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/articles/2002a007.html#appendix |title=The Great Marathon Myth |publisher=Cool Running New Zealand |last=Kemp |first=Ian |date=27 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204100836/http://www.coolrunning.co.nz/articles/2002a007.html |archive-date=4 December 2016}}</ref> In some Herodotus manuscripts, the name of the runner between Athens and Sparta is given as Philippides. Herodotus makes no mention of a messenger sent from Marathon to Athens and relates that the main part of the Athenian army, having fought and won the grueling battle and fearing a naval raid by the Persian fleet against an undefended Athens, marched quickly back from the battle to Athens, arriving the same day.<ref>Herodotus, ''The Histories'' Herodotus makes no mention of a runner following the battle runner, and such a runner is mentioned only in much later sources, Nowadays the story of the "Marathon runner" is generally rejected as a fiction, possibly arising from confusion with the runner sent to Sparta before the battle. (Penguin Books: New York, 1977) p. 425.</ref>
<!-- Comment to prevent a line break.
--> {{wikisource|Pheidippides}}
In 1879, [[Robert Browning]] wrote the poem ''Pheidippides''. Browning's poem, his composite story, became part of late 19th-century popular culture and was accepted as a historical legend.<ref name="pheidip">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/oct-26-truth-about-pheidippides-and-early-years-marathon-history|title=The Truth about Pheidippides and the Early Years of Marathon History|last=Burfoot|first=Amby|date=26 October 2010|magazine=Runner's World|access-date=25 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225062715/http://www.runnersworld.com/running-tips/oct-26-truth-about-pheidippides-and-early-years-marathon-history|archive-date=25 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Mount Pentelicus]] stands between Marathon and Athens, which means that Philippides would have had to run around the mountain, either to the north or to the south. The latter and more obvious route is followed by the modern Marathon-Athens highway ([[Greek National Road 83|EO83]]–[[Greek National Road 54|EO54]]), which follows the lay of the land southwards from Marathon Bay and along the coast, then takes a gentle but protracted climb westwards towards the eastern approach to Athens, between the foothills of Mounts [[Hymettus]] and [[Penteli, Greece|Penteli]], and then gently downhill to Athens proper. As it existed when the Olympics were revived in 1896, this route was approximately {{convert|40|km|mi}} long. It was the approximate distance originally used for marathon races. However, there have been suggestions that Philippides might have followed another route: a westward climb along the eastern and northern slopes of Mount Penteli to the [[Dionysos, Greece|pass of Dionysos]], and then a straight southward downhill path to Athens. This route is slightly shorter, {{convert|35|km|mi}}, but includes a very steep climb over the first {{convert|5|km|mi}}.
[[File:Soldat_Marathon_Cortot_Louvre_LP243.jpg|thumb|''The Soldier of Marathon Announcing the Victory'' (1834) by [[Jean-Pierre Cortot]]; [[Louvre]], Paris]]

===Modern Olympic marathon===
{{main|Marathons at the Olympics}}

When the modern Olympics [[1896 Summer Olympics|began in 1896]], the initiators and organizers were looking for a great popularizing event, recalling the glory of [[ancient Greece]]. The idea of a marathon race came from [[Michel Bréal]], who wanted the event to feature in the [[1896 Summer Olympics|first modern Olympic Games]] in 1896 in Athens. This idea was heavily supported by [[Pierre de Coubertin]], the founder of the modern Olympics, as well as by the [[Greeks]].<ref name="m-run-ency-2002">{{cite book|author1=Richard Benyo|author2=Joe Henderson|title=Running Encyclopedia|url=https://archive.org/details/runningencyclope00rich|url-access=registration|year=2002|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=978-0-7360-3734-1|pages=[https://archive.org/details/runningencyclope00rich/page/250 250]|access-date=6 April 2017}}</ref> A selection race for the Olympic marathon was held on 22 March 1896 ([[Gregorian calendar|Gregorian]]){{efn|This date is specified as 10 March in some sources as Greece used the [[Julian calendar]] at the time.}} that was won by [[Charilaos Vasilakos]] in 3 hours and 18 minutes.<ref name="m-bijkerk-young">{{cite journal|url=http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/JOH/JOHv7n1/JOHv7n1d.pdf|title=That Memorable First Marathon|author1=Anthony Bijkerk|author2=David C. Young|journal=Journal of Olympic History|publisher=[[International Society of Olympic Historians|ISOH]]|page=27|date=Winter 1999|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160912011834/http://library.la84.org/SportsLibrary/JOH/JOHv7n1/JOHv7n1d.pdf|archive-date=12 September 2016}}. Results summary: page 27, annotation 3.</ref> The winner of the [[Athletics at the 1896 Summer Olympics&nbsp;– Men's marathon|first Olympic marathon]], on 10 April 1896 (a male-only race), was [[Spyridon Louis]], a Greek water-carrier, in 2 hours 58 minutes and 50 seconds.<ref name="m-mallon-widlund-1997">{{cite book|author1=Bill Mallon|author2=Ture Widlund|title=1896 Olympic Games: Results for All Competitors in All Events, with Commentary|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UnYwCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA69|year=1997|publisher=McFarland|page=69|isbn=978-1-4766-0950-8|access-date=6 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170407153804/https://books.google.com/books?id=UnYwCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA69|archive-date=7 April 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Athletics at the 2004 Summer Olympics – Men's marathon|marathon of the 2004 Summer Olympics]] was run on the traditional route from [[Marathon, Greece|Marathon]] to [[Athens]], ending at [[Panathinaiko Stadium]], the venue for the 1896 Summer Olympics. That men's marathon was won by Italian [[Stefano Baldini]] in 2 hours 10 minutes and 55 seconds, a record time for this route until the non-Olympics [[Athens Classic Marathon]] of 2014 when Felix Kandie lowered the course record to 2 hours 10 minutes and 37 seconds.

[[File:1896 Olympic marathon.jpg|thumb|left|[[Burton Holmes]]'s photograph entitled ''"1896: Three athletes in training for the marathon at the Olympic Games in Athens"''.<ref name="m-getty">{{cite web|url=http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/three-athletes-in-training-for-the-marathon-at-the-olympic-news-photo/3066157|title=1896, Marathon Runners, Burton Holmes|date=10 March 2004 |publisher=Getty Images|access-date=10 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619073508/http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/three-athletes-in-training-for-the-marathon-at-the-olympic-news-photo/3066157 |archive-date=19 June 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="m-burtonholmes-1901">{{cite book|author=Burton Holmes|title=The Burton Holmes Lectures (Volume 3): The Olympian games in Athens|url=https://archive.org/details/burtonholmeslect03holm/page/68/mode/2up|year=1901|location=Battle Creek, Michigan|publisher=The Little-Preston Co.|page=69|isbn=|access-date=2 March 2025}}</ref> [[Charilaos Vasilakos]] in the middle.<ref name="m-pdlakonias-2016">{{cite web|url=http://pdlakonias.gr/articles/23.pdf#page=32|title=Βιογραφικό Χαρίλαου Βασιλάκου (1875–1964)|page=32|publisher=pdlakonias.gr|date=2016|access-date=2 March 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170408222211/http://pdlakonias.gr/articles/23.pdf#page=32|archive-date=8 April 2017|url-status=live|trans-title=Biography of Charilaos Vasilakos (1875–1964)}}</ref>]]

The women's marathon was introduced at the [[1984 Summer Olympics]] (Los Angeles, US) and was won by [[Joan Benoit]] of the United States with a time of 2 hours 24 minutes and 52 seconds.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_1/olympic-champion-joan-ben.shtml |title=Olympic Champion Joan Benoit Samuelson To Be Guest of Honor at Manchester Marathon&nbsp;— Registration Closed |work=Cool Running |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111025815/http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/3/3_1/olympic-champion-joan-ben.shtml |archive-date=11 January 2012}}</ref>

It has become a tradition for the men's Olympic marathon to be the last event of the athletics calendar, on the final day of the Olympics.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.marathonrunmuseum.com/index.php/en/the-museum/marathon-race |title=Marathon Race |publisher=Marathon Run Museum |access-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822152401/http://www.marathonrunmuseum.com/index.php/en/the-museum/marathon-race |archive-date=22 August 2016}}</ref> For many years, the race finished inside the Olympic stadium; however, at the [[2012 Summer Olympics]] (London), the start and finish were on [[The Mall, London|The Mall]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.az.co.uk/blog/mapping-the-london-olympic-marathon-course |title=Mapping out the London Olympic Marathon course |date=31 July 2012 |publisher=The AZ Blog |access-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160823023414/http://www.az.co.uk/blog/mapping-the-london-olympic-marathon-course/ |archive-date=23 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref> and at the [[2016 Summer Olympics]] ([[Rio de Janeiro]]), the start and finish were in the [[Sambódromo]], the parade area that serves as a spectator mall for [[Carnival]].<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.runnersworld.com/sweat-science/visualizing-the-rio-olympic-marathon-course |title=Visualizing the Rio Olympic Marathon Course |magazine=Runner's World |access-date=21 August 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822005849/http://www.runnersworld.com/sweat-science/visualizing-the-rio-olympic-marathon-course |archive-date=22 August 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Often, the men's marathon medals are awarded during the closing ceremony (including the [[2004 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|2004 games]], [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|2012 games]], [[2016 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|2016 games]] and [[2020 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|2020 games]]).

The Olympic men's record is 2:06:26, set at the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] by [[Tamirat Tola]] of Ethiopia.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.runnersworld.com/uk/news/a61850767/tamirat-tola-wins-mens-marathon-paris-olympics/|title=Tamirat Tola steps in as Ethiopia's reserve – and breaks the Olympic marathon record|website=[[Runner's World]]|date=12 August 2024|access-date=29 October 2024|first1=Rachel|last1=Boswell|first2=Rachel|last2=Lorge Butler}}</ref><!-- Do ''not'' change to Berlin world record time! Berlin 2008 was ''not'' the Olympics; those were in Beijing. -->  The Olympic women's record is 2:22:55, set at the [[2024 Summer Olympics]] by [[Sifan Hassan]] of The Netherlands.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/ATH/OG2024_ATH_C73V_ATHWMARATHON----------FNL-000100--.pdf |title=Paris 2024 - Women's Marathon - Results |website=Olympics.com |date=11 August 2024 |access-date=11 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240811141724/https://olympics.com/OG2024/pdf/OG2024/ATH/OG2024_ATH_C73V_ATHWMARATHON----------FNL-000100--.pdf |archive-date=11 August 2024}}</ref> Per capita, the [[Kalenjin people|Kalenjin ethnic group]] of [[Rift Valley Province]] in [[Kenya]] has produced a highly disproportionate share of marathon and track-and-field winners.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Warner |first=Gregory |date=1 November 2013 |title=How One Kenyan Tribe Produces The World's Best Runners |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2013/11/01/241895965/how-one-kenyan-tribe-produces-the-worlds-best-runners |work=NPR}}</ref>

===Marathon mania in the US===
The [[Boston Marathon]] began on 19 April 1897 and was inspired by the success of the first marathon competition in the [[1896 Summer Olympics]]. It is the world's oldest annual marathon and ranks as one of the world's most prestigious road racing events. Its course runs from [[Hopkinton, Massachusetts|Hopkinton]] in southern Middlesex County to [[Boylston Street]] in Boston.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finish Area {{!}} Boston Athletic Association |url=https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/enter/finish-line |access-date=2025-09-22 |website=www.baa.org |language=en |archive-date=2 September 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250902083430/https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/enter/finish-line |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[Johnny Hayes]]' victory at the 1908 Summer Olympics also contributed to the early growth of long-distance running and marathoning in the United States.<ref>{{cite book |title=The World 1910 Almanac and Encyclopedia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGA3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PP7 |year=1909 |publisher=Press Publishing Company |location=New York |pages=384–385 |chapter=Track and Field Athletics |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cGA3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PA384 |access-date=13 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509183108/https://books.google.com/books?id=cGA3AAAAMAAJ&pg=PP7 |archive-date=9 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Whorton">{{cite book |last1=Whorton |first1=James C. |editor1-first=Jack W. |editor1-last=Berryman |editor2-first=Robert J. |editor2-last=Park |title=Sport and Exercise Science: Essays in the History of Sports Medicine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TVklQ4FX76wC|year=1992 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=0-252-06242-6 |page=127 |chapter="Athlete's Heart": The Medical Debate over Athleticism, 1870–1920 |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TVklQ4FX76wC&pg=PA109}}</ref> Later that year, races around the [[holiday season]] including the Empire City Marathon held on New Year's Day 1909 in [[Yonkers, New York|Yonkers]], New York, marked the early running craze referred to as "marathon mania".<ref>{{cite journal |last=Robinson |first=Roger |date=January–February 2009 |title=Footsteps: 'Tis the (Racing) Season; 100 Years of Holiday Running |journal=Running Times Magazine |access-date=10 February 2011 |url=http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=15263 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101222212255/http://runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=15263 |archive-date=22 December 2010 }}</ref> Following the 1908 Olympics, the first five amateur marathons in New York City were held on days that held special meanings: [[Thanksgiving|Thanksgiving Day]], the day after Christmas, New Year's Day, [[Washington's Birthday]], and [[Lincoln's Birthday]].<ref name="Cooper">{{cite book |last1=Cooper |first1=Pamela |title=The American Marathon |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSPF71aP0qsC |year=1999 |publisher=Syracuse University Press |location=Syracuse, New York |isbn=0-8156-0573-0 |pages=27–48 |chapter=New York City Marathon Culture |chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=cSPF71aP0qsC |access-date=13 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508114057/https://books.google.com/books?id=cSPF71aP0qsC&printsec=frontcover |archive-date=8 May 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Frank Shorter]]'s victory in the [[Athletics at the 1972 Summer Olympics&nbsp;– Men's marathon|marathon at the 1972 Summer Olympics]] spurred [[running boom of the 1970s|national enthusiasm for the sport]] more intensely than Hayes' win had done 64 years earlier.<ref name="Whorton"/> In 2014, an estimated 550,600 runners completed a marathon within the United States.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2016|title=2015 Running USA Annual Marathon Report|work=RunningUSA.org|publisher=Running USA|date=25 May 2016|access-date=21 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322112519/http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2016|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> This can be compared to 143,000 in 1980. Today, marathons are held all around the world on a nearly weekly basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.marathonguide.com/races/races.cfm?place=intl|title=Marathon Guide: International Marathons Report|publisher=MarathonGuide|access-date=12 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216211814/http://www.marathonguide.com/races/races.cfm?place=intl|archive-date=16 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Inclusion of women===
For a long time after the Olympic marathon started, there were no long-distance races, such as the marathon, for women. Although a few women, such as [[Stamata Revithi]] in 1896, had run the marathon distance, they were not included in any official results.<ref name="Lovett">{{cite web|url=http://www.marathonguide.com/history/olympicmarathons/chapter25.cfm|title=Olympic Marathon (excerpt)|year=1997|work=[[Charlie Lovett]]|publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group, Inc.|access-date=1 November 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217025742/http://www.marathonguide.com/history/olympicmarathons/chapter25.cfm|archive-date=17 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="m-1896-women">{{cite web|url=http://69.65.11.24/~isohorg/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/102.pdf|title=Two Women Ran the Marathon in 1896|author=Karl Lennartz|publisher=International Society of Olympic Historians [[International Society of Olympic Historians|ISOH]]|access-date=10 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411003627/http://69.65.11.24/~isohorg/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/102.pdf|archive-date=11 April 2017}}</ref> [[Marie-Louise Ledru]] has been credited as the first woman to complete a marathon, in 1918.<ref name="ARRS1">{{cite web |title=World Best Progressions- Road |url=https://arrs.run/RecProg/RP_wwR.htm |work=Association of Road Racing Statisticians |access-date=1 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614221254/https://arrs.run/RecProg/RP_wwR.htm |archive-date=14 June 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>Krise, Raymond and Squires, Bill (1982). ''Fast Tracks: The History of Distance Running Since 884 B.C.'', S. Greene Press, p. 43, {{ISBN|0828904820}}.</ref><ref>Gross, Albert C. (1986) ''Endurance'', Dodd Mead, {{ISBN|0396088880}}.</ref> [[Violet Piercy]] has been credited as the first woman to be officially timed in a marathon, in 1926.<ref name="Lovett"/>

[[Arlene Pieper]] became the first woman to officially finish a marathon in the United States when she completed the [[Pikes Peak Marathon]] in Manitou Springs, Colorado, in 1959.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/mystique.htm|title=First woman to run marathon in US|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211125822/http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/mystique.htm|archive-date=11 February 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://marathonandbeyond.com/2013/11/arlene-pieper-1st-lady-marathoner/|title=Arlene Pieper – 1st Lady Marathoner &#124; Marathon and Beyond|website=marathonandbeyond.com|date=5 November 2017 |access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180916202214/http://marathonandbeyond.com/2013/11/arlene-pieper-1st-lady-marathoner/|archive-date=16 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kathrine Switzer]] was the first woman to run the [[Boston Marathon]] "officially" (with a number), in 1967.<ref name="BBC 2012-04-16">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17632029|title=Boston, 1967: When marathons were just for men|date=16 April 2012|work=BBC News|access-date=4 November 2014|quote=Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the race 45 years ago, despite stewards trying to physically force the 20-year-old off the road.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141230184507/http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-17632029|archive-date=30 December 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> However, Switzer's entry, which was accepted through an "oversight" in the screening process, was in "flagrant violation of the rules", and she was treated as an interloper once the error was discovered.<ref name="semple">Semple, Jock; with John J. Kelley and Tom Murphy (1981). ''Just Call Me Jock: The Story of Jock Semple, Boston's Mr. Marathon'', pages 7, 114–118, Waterford Publishing Co., {{ISBN|978-0942052015}}</ref> [[Bobbi Gibb]] had completed the Boston race unofficially the previous year (1966),<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120307073949/http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/boston-marathon-history.aspx Boston Marathon History]. baa.org</ref> and was later recognized by the [[Boston Athletic Association|race organizers]] as the [[List of winners of the Boston Marathon#Women's open division|women's winner for that year, as well as 1967 and 1968]].<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120307073943/http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/boston-marathon-history/past-champions/past-womens-open-champions.aspx Boston Marathon History: Past Women's Open Champions]. baa.org</ref>

==Distance==
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|+Olympic marathon distances
! Year
! Distance<br />(km)
! Distance<br />(miles)
|-
| 1896 || 40 || 24.85
|-
| 1900 || 40.26 || 25.02
|-
| 1904 || 40 || 24.85
|-
| 1906 || 41.86 || 26.01
|-
| 1908 || 42.195 || 26.22
|-
| 1912 || 40.2 || 24.98
|-
| 1920 || 42.75 || 26.56
|-
| 1924 onward || 42.195 || 26.22
|}

The length of an Olympic marathon was not precisely fixed at first. Despite this, the marathon races in the first few Olympic Games were about {{convert|40|km|mi}},<ref name='Bryant'>Bryant, J. (2007). "100 Years and Still Running". ''Marathon News''.</ref> roughly the distance from Marathon to Athens by the longer, flatter route. The exact length depended on the route established for each venue. The [[Boston Marathon]], established by the inaugural US Olympic team manager, was 24.5 miles from 1897 to 1924.<ref>{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/history/ |access-date=2026-01-16 |website=Boston Athletic Association |language=en-US}}</ref>

===1908 Olympics===
{{main|Athletics at the 1908 Summer Olympics&nbsp;– Men's marathon}}
The [[International Olympic Committee]] agreed in 1907 that the distance for the 1908 London Olympic marathon would be about 25 miles or 40 kilometers. The organizers decided on a course of 26 miles from the start at [[Windsor Castle]] to the royal entrance to the [[White City Stadium]], followed by a lap ({{convert|586|yd|2|ft|m|disp=semicolon}}) of the track, finishing in front of the Royal Box.<ref name='ISOH'>{{cite journal|author=Wilcock, Bob |title=The 1908 Olympic Marathon|journal= Journal of Olympic History|volume= 16 |issue =1|date=March 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.athensmarathon.com/marathon/history.html |title=History of the Athens Marathon |access-date=23 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120815130659/http://www.athensmarathon.com/marathon/history.html |archive-date=15 August 2012 }}</ref> The course was later altered to use a different entrance to the stadium, followed by a partial lap of 385 yards to the same finish.

The modern {{convert|42.195|km|mi|abbr=on}} standard distance for the marathon was set by the [[International Amateur Athletic Federation]] (IAAF) in May 1921<ref>[http://www.iaaf.org/disciplines/road-running/marathon "Marathon: How it works"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130311040313/http://www.iaaf.org/disciplines/road-running/marathon |date=11 March 2013 }}. IAAF.</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.european-athletics.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6235&Itemid=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080924220856/http://www.european-athletics.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=6235&Itemid=2|archive-date=2008-09-24|title=The Marathon journey to reach 42.195km |date=25 April 2008 |website=European Athletics|access-date=23 July 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|last1=Martin|first1=David E.|first2=Roger W. H. |last2=Gynn|title=The Olympic Marathon|publisher=Human Kinetics |date=May 2000|page=[https://archive.org/details/olympicmarathon00mart/page/113 113]|isbn=978-0-88011-969-6|url=https://archive.org/details/olympicmarathon00mart/page/113}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/imported/42192.pdf |title=IAAF Competition Rules 2008 |page=195 |publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]] |access-date=20 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090325001003/http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/imported/42192.pdf |archive-date=25 March 2009 }}</ref> directly from the length used at the [[1908 Summer Olympics]] in London.

===IAAF and world records===
{{main|Marathon world record progression#Criteria for record eligibility}}
[[File:Samuel Wanjiru at 2008 Summer Olympics.jpg|thumb|[[Samuel Wanjiru]] raises his hand in acknowledgment of the crowd as he runs to a gold medal in the [[Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics&nbsp;– Men's marathon|2008 Olympic marathon]].]]
An official IAAF marathon course is 42.195&nbsp;km (42&nbsp;m tolerance only in excess).<ref name=current_IAAF_Rules>[http://www.iaaf.org/download/download?filename=7c4c7e46-8979-453d-a355-a736fdac2281.pdf&urlslug=Competition%20Rules%202012-13 "IAAF Competition Rules 2012–2013&nbsp;– Rule 240"]. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209000153/http://www.iaaf.org/download/download?filename=7c4c7e46-8979-453d-a355-a736fdac2281.pdf&urlslug=Competition%20Rules%202012-13 |date=9 February 2013 }}. Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> Course officials add a [[short course prevention factor]] of up to one meter per kilometer to their measurements to reduce the risk of a measuring error producing a length below the minimum distance.

For events governed by IAAF rules, the route must be marked so that all competitors can see the distance covered in kilometers.<ref name=IAAF/> The rules do not mention the use of miles. The IAAF will only recognize [[world record]]s established at events run under IAAF rules. For major events, it is customary to publish competitors' timings at the midway mark and also at 5&nbsp;km splits; marathon runners can be credited with world records for lesser distances recognized by the IAAF (such as 20&nbsp;km, 30&nbsp;km and so on) if such records are established while the runner is running a marathon and completes the marathon course.<ref name="IAAF Competition Rules">{{cite web|url=http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/Competitions/TechnicalArea/05/47/81/20091027115916_httppostedfile_CompRules2010_web_26Oct09_17166.pdf |title=IAAF Competition Rules 2010–2011 |pages=230–235 |publisher=[[International Association of Athletics Federations|IAAF]] |access-date=10 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110512013129/http://www.iaaf.org/mm/Document/Competitions/TechnicalArea/05/47/81/20091027115916_httppostedfile_CompRules2010_web_26Oct09_17166.pdf |archive-date=12 May 2011 }}</ref>

==Marathon races==
{{Main list|List of marathon races (disambiguation){{!}}List of marathon races}}
[[File:Marathon Barcelona Catalunya 2007.jpg|thumb|upright|2007 [[Barcelona Marathon]]]]

Annually, more than 800 marathons are organized worldwide.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Day|first1=Sharlene M.|last2=Thompson|first2=Paul D.|title=Cardiac risks associated with marathon running|journal=Sports Health|date=4 June 2010|volume=2|issue=4|pages=301–306|doi=10.1177/1941738110373066|pmc=3445091|pmid=23015951}}</ref> Some of these belong to the [[Association of International Marathons and Distance Races]] (AIMS) which has grown since its foundation in 1982 to embrace over 300 member events in 83 countries and territories.<ref>[http://aimsworldrunning.org/about.htm AIMS&nbsp;– About AIMS] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616092847/http://www.aimsworldrunning.org/about.htm |date=16 June 2016 }}. Aimsworldrunning.org (30 March 2007). Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref> The marathons of [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]], [[Boston Marathon|Boston]], [[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]], [[London Marathon|London]], [[New York City Marathon|New York City]], [[Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]] and [[Sydney Marathon|Sydney]] form the [[World Marathon Majors]] series, awarding $500,000 annually to the best overall male and female performers in the series.

In 2006, the editors of ''[[Runner's World]]'' selected a "World's Top 10 Marathons",<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20060314045232/http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0%2C5033%2Cs6-51-0-0-2196-1-4-2%2C00.html The World's Top 10 Marathons]. runnersworld.com. Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> in which the [[Amsterdam Marathon|Amsterdam]], [[Honolulu Marathon|Honolulu]], [[Paris Marathon|Paris]], [[Rotterdam Marathon|Rotterdam]], and [[Stockholm Marathon|Stockholm]] marathons were featured along with the five original World Marathon Majors events (excluding Tokyo). Other notable large marathons include United States [[Marine Corps Marathon]], [[Los Angeles Marathon|Los Angeles]], and [[Rome Marathon|Rome]]. The Boston Marathon is the world's oldest annual marathon, inspired by the success of the 1896 Olympic marathon and held every year since 1897 to celebrate [[Patriots' Day]], a holiday marking the beginning of the [[American Revolution]], thereby purposely linking [[Athens|Athenian]] and American struggle for democracy.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/04/the-history-of-the-boston-marathon-a-perfect-way-to-celebrate-patriots-day/275023/|title=The History of the Boston Marathon: A Perfect Way to Celebrate Patriot's Day|magazine=The Atlantic|access-date=23 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130422191253/http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/04/the-history-of-the-boston-marathon-a-perfect-way-to-celebrate-patriots-day/275023/|archive-date=22 April 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The oldest annual marathon in Europe is the [[Košice Peace Marathon]], held since 1924 in [[Košice]], Slovakia. The historic [[Polytechnic Marathon]] was discontinued in 1996. The [[Athens Classic Marathon]] traces the route of the 1896 Olympic course, starting in [[Marathon, Greece|Marathon]] on the eastern coast of Attica, site of the [[Battle of Marathon]] of 490 BC, and ending at the [[Panathenaic Stadium]] in [[Athens]].<ref>{{cite web |author=guest |url=http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/11/08/in-pheidippides-footsteps-athens-classic-marathon/ |title=In Pheidippides' Footsteps: 30th Annual Athens Classic Marathon &#124; GreekReporter.com |date=8 November 2012 |publisher=Greece.greekreporter.com |access-date=2015-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131104103329/http://greece.greekreporter.com/2012/11/08/in-pheidippides-footsteps-athens-classic-marathon/ |archive-date=4 November 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:'Helsinki City Marathon lähtö.JPG|thumb|Start of the 2012 [[Helsinki City Marathon]]]]

The [[Tromsø Midnight Sun Marathon|Midnight Sun Marathon]] is held in [[Tromsø]], [[Norway]] at [[70th parallel north|70 degrees north]]. Using unofficial and temporary courses measured by GPS, races of marathon distance are now held at the [[North Pole]], in [[Antarctica]], and over desert terrain. Other unusual marathons include the [[Great Wall Marathon]] on The [[Great Wall of China]], the [[Big Five Marathon]] among the safari wildlife of South Africa, the [[Great Tibetan Marathon]]&nbsp;– a marathon in an atmosphere of [[Tibetan Buddhism]] at an altitude of {{convert|3500|m|ft}}, and the [[Polar Circle Marathon]] on the permanent ice cap of [[Greenland]].

A few marathons cross international and geographical borders. The [[Istanbul Marathon]] is the only marathon where participants run over two continents (Europe and Asia) during a single event.{{efn|A marathon in [[Yekaterinburg]], Russia, the [[Europe-Asia International Marathon]], also claims to cross the border between Europe and Asia.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ea-m.org/en/run/marafon_evropa-aziya/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109091339/https://ea-m.org/en/run/marafon_evropa-aziya/ |archive-date=9 November 2020 |title=Europe-Asia International Marathon |access-date=27 August 2021}}</ref>}} In the [[Detroit Free Press Marathon]], participants cross the US/Canada border twice.<ref>[http://www.freepmarathon.com/ Detroit Free Press Marathon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110203045757/http://www.freepmarathon.com/ |date=3 February 2011 }}. Freepmarathon.com. Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> The [[Niagara Falls International Marathon]] includes one international border crossing, via the [[Peace Bridge]] from [[Buffalo, New York|Buffalo]], New York, United States to [[Fort Erie, Ontario|Fort Erie]], Ontario, Canada. In the {{ill|Three Countries Marathon|de|Marathon der 3 Länder am Bodensee}}, participants run through Germany, Switzerland and Austria.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sparkasse-3-laender-marathon.at/de/home/ |title=Home |publisher=Sparkasse 3-Länder Marathon |access-date=5 October 2019 }}</ref>

On 20 March 2018, an indoor Marathon occurred in the Armory in New York City. The 200 m track saw a world record in the women's and men's field. Lindsey Scherf (USA) set the indoor women's world record with 2:40:55. Malcolm Richards (USA) won in 2:19:01 with a male indoor world record.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20866316/indoor-marathon-world-records-fall/|title=You Won't Believe the Pace (and Patience) Needed to Set the Indoor Marathon World Record|last=Snyder|first=Paul|date=2018-03-20|website=Runner's World|language=en-US|access-date=2019-04-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190430125920/https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a20866316/indoor-marathon-world-records-fall/|archive-date=30 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Wheelchair division===
[[File:Boston Marathon 2009.jpg|thumb|right|A pack of Wheelchair Division participants in the 2009 Boston Marathon]]

Many marathons feature a wheelchair division. Typically, those in the [[wheelchair racing]] division start their races earlier than their running counterparts.

The first wheelchair marathon was held in 1974 in [[Toledo, Ohio]], won by [[Bob Hall (wheelchair athlete)|Bob Hall]] at 2:54.<ref>{{cite book|title=Sports medicine, training, and rehabilitation|volume=3|year=1991|page=95}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Patrick|first1=Dwyne R.|last2=Bignall|first2=John E.|editor=Joseph A. Kotarba|editor2=Andrea Fontana|title=The Existential Self in Society|year=1987|publisher=University of Chicago Press|isbn=0-226-45141-0|chapter=Creating the competent self: The case of the wheelchair runner|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/existentialselfi0000unse}}</ref> Hall competed in the [[1975 Boston Marathon]] and finished in 2:58, inaugurating the introduction of wheelchair divisions into the [[Boston Marathon]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.will.uiuc.edu/tv/documentaries/atw/atwwind1.html|title=The History of Wheelchair Racing at the Boston Marathon|last=Davis|first=Alison|year=1996|work=Against the Wind|publisher=University of Illinois Board of Trustees |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727162220/http://www.will.uiuc.edu/tv/documentaries/atw/atwwind1.html |archive-date=27 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.will.uiuc.edu/tv/documentaries/atw/atwhall.html|title=Interview with Bob Hall|last=Davis|first=Alison|year=1996|work=Against the Wind|publisher=University of Illinois Board of Trustees |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727162448/http://www.will.uiuc.edu/tv/documentaries/atw/atwhall.html |archive-date=27 July 2011}}</ref> From 1977, the race was declared the US National Wheelchair championship.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0418/Boston-Marathon-five-historic-moments/First-wheelchair-competitor-1975|title=Boston Marathon: five historic moments|last=Couch|first=Aaron|date=18 April 2011|work=The Christian Science Monitor|access-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421074212/http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2011/0418/Boston-Marathon-five-historic-moments/First-wheelchair-competitor-1975|archive-date=21 April 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The Boston Marathon awards $10,000 to the winning push-rim athlete.<ref name=equipment/> [[Ernst van Dyk]] has won the Boston Marathon wheelchair division ten times and holds the world record at 1:18:27, set in Boston in 2004.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/blog/2010/04/ernst_van_dyk_wins_record_9th.html|title=Ernst Van Dyk wins record 9th wheelchair title|last=Vega|first=Michael|date=19 April 2010|work=The Boston Globe|access-date=21 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112200603/http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/blog/2010/04/ernst_van_dyk_wins_record_9th.html|archive-date=12 January 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Jean Driscoll]] won eight times (seven consecutively) and holds the women's world record at 1:34:22.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Cooper|first1=Rory A.|last2=Boninger|first2=Michael L.|last3=Rice|first3=Ian|author4=Sean D. Shimada|author5=Rosemarie Cooper|editor=Walter R. Frontera|editor2=David M. Slovik|editor3=David Michael Dawson|title=Exercise in rehabilitation medicine|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=VE8UJZrp6NIC&pg=PA333|year=1996|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=0-7360-5541-X|page=333|chapter=Elite athletes with impairments|access-date=13 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629143058/https://books.google.com/books?id=VE8UJZrp6NIC&pg=PA333|archive-date=29 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>

The [[New York City Marathon]] banned wheelchair entrants in 1977, citing safety concerns, but then voluntarily allowed Bob Hall to compete after the state Division of Human Rights ordered the marathon to show cause.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oXFkAAAAIBAJ&pg=1025,3843410|title=Wheelchair entrants axed from marathon|date=17 October 1977|work=Calgary Herald|access-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222230848/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=oXFkAAAAIBAJ&sjid=330NAAAAIBAJ&pg=1025,3843410|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=71xNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4637,5757021|title=Marathon entry on wheels|last=Association Press|date=22 October 1977|work=Lakeland Ledger|access-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222171603/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=71xNAAAAIBAJ&sjid=0voDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4637,5757021|archive-date=22 December 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> The Division ruled in 1979 that the New York City Marathon and [[New York Road Runners]] club had to allow wheelchair athletes to compete, and confirmed this at appeal in 1980,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=FmAtAAAAIBAJ&pg=4776,7425548|title=Wheelchair athletes win marathon appeal|date=26 October 1980|work=Tri City Herald|access-date=20 May 2011}}{{Dead link|date=October 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> but the [[New York Supreme Court]] ruled in 1981 that a ban on wheelchair racers was not discriminatory as the marathon was historically a foot race.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/11/sports/marathon-wins-wheelchair-ban.html|title=Marathon Wins Wheelchair Ban|last=United Press International|date=11 April 1981|work=The New York Times|access-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114093757/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/11/sports/marathon-wins-wheelchair-ban.html|archive-date=14 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> However, by 1986, 14 wheelchair athletes were competing,<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/11/sports/scouting-fast-forward-in-reverse.html|title=Fast Forward in Reverse|date=11 November 1986|work=The New York Times|access-date=21 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114093805/http://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/11/sports/scouting-fast-forward-in-reverse.html|archive-date=14 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> and an official wheelchair division was added to the marathon in 2000.<ref name=equipment>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/05/sports/new-york-city-marathon-new-equipment-stirs-division-within-wheelchair-ranks.html|title=New York City Marathon; New Equipment Stirs Division Within Wheelchair Ranks|last=Dicker|first=Ron|date=5 November 2000|work=The New York Times|access-date=20 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131114093759/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/11/05/sports/new-york-city-marathon-new-equipment-stirs-division-within-wheelchair-ranks.html|archive-date=14 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some of the quickest people to complete a wheel-chair marathon include Thomas Geierpichler (Austria), who won gold in the men's T52-class marathon (no lower limb function) in 1 hr 49 min 7 sec in Beijing, China, on 17 September 2008; and, [[Heinz Frei]] (Switzerland) who won the men's T54 marathon (for racers with spinal cord injuries) in a time of 1 hr 20 min and 14 sec in Oita, Japan, 31 October 1999.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Guinness World Records Limited|last=Glenday|first=Craig|publisher=Jane Boatfield|year=2013|isbn=978-1-908843-15-9|pages=[https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_r3e7/page/247 247]|url=https://archive.org/details/guinnessworldrec0000unse_r3e7/page/247}}</ref>

==Statistics==
{{see also|Marathon world record progression|Marathon year rankings}}

===World records and world's best===
[[World record]]s were not officially recognized by the IAAF, now known as [[World Athletics]], until 1 January 2004; previously, the best times for the marathon were referred to as the 'world best'. Courses must conform to World Athletics standards for a record to be recognized. However, marathon routes still vary greatly in elevation, course, and surface, making exact comparisons impossible. Typically, the fastest times are set over relatively flat courses near sea level, during good weather conditions and with the assistance of [[Pacemaker (running)|pacesetter]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rw.runnersworld.com/sub-2/|title=Runner's World {{!}} What Will It Take to Run A 2-Hour Marathon|website=rw.runnersworld.com|access-date=2017-08-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170829032300/https://rw.runnersworld.com/sub-2/|archive-date=29 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

The current world record time for men over the distance is 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, set in the [[2026 London Marathon|London Marathon]] by [[Sabastian Sawe]] of [[Kenya]] on 26 April 2026.

The world record for women was set by [[Ruth Chepng'etich]] of Kenya in the [[Chicago Marathon]] on 13 October 2024, in 2 hours, 9 minutes, and 56 seconds. This broke [[Tigst Assefa|Tigst Assefa's]] previous world record of 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 53 seconds by almost two minutes, and was the first time in history a woman broke the 2:11 and 2:10 barriers in the marathon.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Marathon - women - senior - all |url=https://worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/road-running/marathon/outdoor/women/senior |access-date=2024-10-13 |website=worldathletics.org}}</ref>

===Area records===
* Updated 20 May 2026.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://worldathletics.org/records/by-discipline/road-running/marathon/outdoor/men |title=Men's Marathon {{!}} Records |website=worldathletics.org |publisher=[[World Athletics]] |access-date=12 May 2026}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://worldathletics.org/records/by-discipline/road-running/marathon/outdoor/women |title=Women's Marathon {{!}} Records |website=worldathletics.org |publisher=[[World Athletics]] |access-date=12 May 2026}}</ref>
{{Table alignment}}
{| class="wikitable defaultleft col3center col6center"
|-
!scope="rowgroup" rowspan=2| Area
!scope="colgroup" colspan=3| Men
!scope="colgroup" colspan=3| Women
|-
!scope="col"| Time
!scope="col"| Season
!scope="col"| Athlete
!scope="col"| Time
!scope="col"| Season
!scope="col"| Athlete
|-
!scope="row"| [[List of world records in athletics|World]]
| '''1:59:30''' || 2026 || {{flagathlete|[[Sabastian Sawe]]|KEN}}
| '''2:09:56'''&nbsp;{{AthAbbr|Mx}} || 2024 || {{flagathlete|[[Ruth Chepng'etich]]|KEN}}
|-
!colspan=7| Area records
|-
!scope="row"| [[Confederation of African Athletics|Africa]] {{small|(''[[List of African records in athletics|records]]'')}}
| '''1:59:30''' || 2026 || {{flagathlete|[[Sabastian Sawe]]|KEN}}
| '''2:09:56'''&nbsp;{{AthAbbr|Mx}} || 2024 || {{flagathlete|[[Ruth Chepng'etich]]|KEN}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian Athletics|Asia]] {{small|(''[[List of Asian records in athletics|records]]'')}}
| '''2:04:43''' || 2018 || {{flagathlete|[[El-Hassan El-Abbassi]]|BHR}}
| '''2:18:59'''&nbsp;{{AthAbbr|Wo}} || 2024 || {{flagathlete|[[Honami Maeda]]|JPN}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[European Athletic Association|Europe]] {{small|(''[[List of European records in athletics|records]]'')}}
| '''2:03:36''' || 2021 || {{flagathlete|[[Bashir Abdi]]|BEL}}
| '''2:13:44'''&nbsp;{{AthAbbr|Mx}} || 2025 || {{flagathlete|[[Sifan Hassan]]|NED}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[North American, Central American and Caribbean Athletic Association|North, Central America<br>and Caribbean]] {{small|(''[[List of North, Central American and Caribbean records in athletics|records]]'')}}
| '''2:04:43''' || 2025 || {{flagathlete|[[Conner Mantz]]|USA}}
| '''2:18:29''' || 2022 || {{flagathlete|[[Emily Sisson]]|USA}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[Oceania Athletics Association|Oceania]] {{small|(''[[List of Oceanian records in athletics|records]]'')}}
| '''2:06:22''' || 2024 || {{flagathlete|[[Andrew Buchanan (runner)|Andrew Buchanan]]|AUS}}
| '''2:21:24''' || 2025 || {{flagathlete|[[Jessica Stenson]]|AUS}}
|-
!scope="row"| [[Atletismo Sudamericano|South America]] {{small|(''[[List of South American records in athletics|records]]'')}}
| '''2:04:51''' || 2022 || {{flagathlete|[[Daniel Ferreira do Nascimento]]|BRA}}
| '''2:24:18''' || 2024 || {{flagathlete|[[Florencia Borelli]]|ARG}}
|}

===All-time top 25===
{| style="wikitable"
|-
|Tables show data for two definitions of "Top 25" - the top 25 '''marathon times''' and the top 25 '''athletes''':
|-
|style="background: #f6F5CE";"| ''- denotes top performance for '''athletes''' in the top 25 '''marathon times'''''
|-
| ''- denotes lesser performances, still in the top 25 '''marathon times''', by repeat athletes''
|-
|style="background: #CCFFCC";"| ''- denotes top performance (only) for other top 25 '''athletes''' who fall outside the top 25 marathon times''
|}

The data is ''correct {{As of|2026|4|26|lc=y|}}.''<ref>{{cite web
 |url         = https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/road-running/marathon/outdoor/men/senior
 |website     = [[World Athletics|www.worldathletics.org]]
 |title       = Marathon - men - senior - outdoor
 |access-date  = 24 April 2022
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
 |url         = https://www.worldathletics.org/records/all-time-toplists/road-running/marathon/outdoor/women/senior
 |website     = [[World Athletics|www.worldathletics.org]]
 |title       = Marathon - women - senior - outdoor
 |access-date  = 24 April 2021
}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All-time men's best marathon|url=http://www.alltime-athletics.com/mmaraok.htm|website=alltime-athletics.com|date=12 October 2021|access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=All-time women's best marathon|url=http://www.alltime-athletics.com/wmaraok.htm|website=alltime-athletics.com|date=12 October 2021|access-date=24 April 2022}}</ref>

==== Men ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}  !! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}} !! Time !! Athlete !! Nation !! Date !! Place !! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|1 || align=center|1 || 1:59:30 || [[Sabastian Sawe]] || {{KEN}} || 26 April 2026 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="london.2026">{{Cite web |title=Sawe breaks two-hour barrier with 1:59:30 world record at London Marathon {{!}} REPORT {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/sawe-two-hour-assefa-world-record-london-marathon|access-date=2026-04-26 |website=worldathletics.org}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|2 || align=center|2 || 1:59:41 || [[Yomif Kejelcha]] || {{ETH}} || 26 April 2026 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="london.2026"/>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|3 || align=center|3 || 2:00:28 || [[Jacob Kiplimo]] || {{UGA}} || 26 April 2026 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="london.2026"/>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|4 || align=center|4 || 2:00:35 || [[Kelvin Kiptum]] || {{KEN}} || 8 October 2023 || [[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]] || <ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kiptum smashes world marathon record with 2:00:35, Hassan runs 2:13:44 in Chicago {{!}} REPORT {{!}} World Athletics |url=https://worldathletics.org/news/report/chicago-marathon-2023-kiptum-world-record-hassan |access-date=2023-10-08 |website=worldathletics.org}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|5 || align=center|5 || 2:01:09 || [[Eliud Kipchoge]] || {{KEN}} || 25 September 2022 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || <ref>{{cite news|title=Kenya's Kipchoge shatters marathon world record in Berlin|url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/kenyas-kipchoge-shatters-marathon-world-record-berlin-2022-09-25/|publisher=Reuters|date=25 September 2022|access-date=25 September 2022}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| || align=center|6 || 2:01:25 || ''Kiptum #2'' || rowspan=2| || 23 April 2023 || [[London Marathon|London]] ||
|-
| align=center|7 || 2:01:39 || ''Kipchoge #2'' ||  16 September 2018 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] ||
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|6 || align=center|7 || 2:01:39 || [[Amos Kipruto]] || {{KEN}} || 26 April 2026 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="london.2026"/>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|7 || align=center|9 || 2:01:41 || [[Kenenisa Bekele]] || {{ETH}} || 29 September 2019 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || <ref name="Bob Ramsak">{{cite news|title=Bekele clocks 2:01:41 in Berlin, second fastest marathon ever|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/bekele-berlin-marathon-2019|publisher=IAAF|author=Bob Ramsak|date=29 September 2019|access-date=3 October 2019}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|8 || align=center|10 || 2:01:48 || [[Sisay Lemma]] || {{ETH}} || 3 December 2023 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2023.valencia">{{cite web|title=Lemma breaks course record, Degefa dominates in Valencia|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/valencia-marathon-2023-lemma-degefa|author=Emeterio Valiente|date=3 December 2023|publisher=[[World Athletics]]|access-date=3 December 2023}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| || align=center|11 || 2:01:53 || ''Kiptum #3'' || rowspan="2"| || 4 December 2022 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2022.valencia"/>
|-
|align="center"|12
|2:02:05
| ''Sawe #2''
|1 December 2024
|[[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|<ref name="Valencia2024">{{cite web|title=Valencia Marathon 2024 Results|url=https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/marathon/2024-marathon-ranking/|website=valenciaciudaddelrunning.com|access-date=4 December 2024}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |9
| align="center" |13
|2:02:16
|[[Benson Kipruto]]
|{{KEN}}
|3 March 2024
|[[Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]]
|<ref name="Tokyo2024">{{cite web|title=Kipruto and Kebede run Japanese all-comers' records in Tokyo|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/kipruto-kebede-japanese-all-comers-records-tokyo-marathon-2024|publisher=[[World Athletics]]|date=3 March 2024|access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| || align="center" |13 || 2:02:16 || ''Sawe #3''
| rowspan="2"| || 21 September 2025 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || <ref>{{cite web|title=51. BMW Berlin-Marathon 2025 Results - Sabastian Sawe|url=https://berlin.r.mikatiming.com/2025/?content=detail&fpid=search&pid=search&idp=HCH3C0OHCD646&lang=EN_CAP&event=BML_HCH3C0OH2F2|website=berlin.r.mikatiming.com|date=21 September 2025|access-date=1 October 2025}}</ref>
|-
|align="center" |15
| align="center" |2:02:23
|''Kiplimo #2''
|12 October 2025
|[[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|<ref name="Chicago25">{{cite web|title=2025 Chicago Marathon Results|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/chicago-marathon-results-2025|website=NBC|author=Nick Zaccardi|date=12 October 2025|access-date=14 October 2025}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
|align=center|10
|align=center|16
|2:02:24
|[[John Korir (runner, born 1996)|John Korir]]
|{{KEN}}
|7 December 2025
|[[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|<ref name="Valencia25">{{cite web|title=Valencia Marathon 2025 Result|url=https://www.valenciaciudaddelrunning.com/en/marathon/2025-marathon-ranking/|website=valenciaciudaddelrunning.com|access-date=20 December 2025}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2" |
| align="center" |17 || 2:02:27 || ''Sawe #4''
| rowspan="2" |
| 27 April 2025 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="London2025">{{cite web|title=Results from the 2025 London Marathon|url=https://www.runnersworld.com/news/a64577439/london-marathon-2025-results/|work=[[Runner's World]]|author=Dan Beck|date=27 April 2025|access-date=29 April 2025}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |18 || 2:02:37 || ''Kipchoge #3''|| 28 April 2019 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="auto" />
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |11
| align="center" |19
|2:02:38
|[[Deresa Geleta]]
|{{ETH}}
|1 December 2024
|[[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|<ref name="Valencia2024" />
|-
| rowspan=3|
| align="center" |20 || 2:02:40 || ''Kipchoge #4''
| rowspan=3| || 6 March 2022 || [[Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]] || <ref name="Jess Whittington">{{cite news|title=Kipchoge and Kosgei race to Japanese all-comers' records in Tokyo|url=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/kipchoge-kosgei-all-comers-records-tokyo-marathon|publisher=World Athletics|author=Jess Whittington|date=6 March 2022|access-date=8 March 2022}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |21 || 2:02:42 || ''Kipchoge #5'' || 24 September 2023 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || {{r|2023.berlin}}
|-
| align="center" |22 || 2:02:44 || ''Korir #2'' || 13 October 2024 || [[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]] || <ref>{{Cite web |title=Bank of America Chicago Marathon: Results |url=https://results.chicagomarathon.com/2024/?pid=list |access-date=19 October 2024 |website=chicagomarathon.com | publisher=Mika timing}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |12 || align="center" |23 || 2:02:48 || [[Birhanu Legese]] || {{ETH}} || 29 September 2019 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || <ref name="Bob Ramsak" />
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| rowspan=2 align="center" |13 || rowspan="2" align="center" |24 || rowspan="2" |2:02:55 || [[Mosinet Geremew]]|| {{ETH}} || 28 April 2019 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="auto">{{cite news|title=Kipchoge cracks course record in London with second-fastest time in history|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/london-marathon-2019-kipchoge-kosgei|publisher=IAAF|author=Simon Hart|date=28 April 2019|access-date=3 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503191153/https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/london-marathon-2019-kipchoge-kosgei|archive-date=3 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
|[[Timothy Kiplagat]]
|{{KEN}}
|3 March 2024
|[[Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]]
|<ref name="Tokyo2024"/>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |15 || rowspan=11  align="center" | || 2:02:57 || [[Dennis Kipruto Kimetto]] || {{KEN}} || 28 September 2014 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || <ref name="2014.berlin">{{cite web |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/news/report/marathon-world-record-dennis-kimetto-berlin |title=Kimetto breaks marathon world record in Berlin with 2:02:57 |date=28 September 2014 |publisher=World Athletics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027184835/https://www.worldathletics.org/news/report/marathon-world-record-dennis-kimetto-berlin |archive-date=27 October 2020 |access-date=27 August 2021}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align=center|16 || 2:02:59 || [[Tamirat Tola]] || {{ETH}} || 26 April 2026 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="london.2026"/>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| rowspan="2" align="center" |17 || rowspan="2" |2:03:00 || [[Evans Chebet]] || {{KEN}} || 6 December 2020 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2020.valencia">{{cite web |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7144910 |title=Maratón Valencia Trinidad Alfonso EDP |publisher=World Athletics |date=6 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210604091010/https://www.worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7144910 |archive-date=4 June 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021 |url-status=bot: unknown }}<!-- please do not remove this source unless it is also no longer used elsewhere in this article --></ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| [[Gabriel Geay]] || {{TAN}} || 4 December 2022 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2022.valencia">{{Cite news|title=Kiptum and Beriso break course records in Valencia|url=https://www.worldathletics.org/news/report/valencia-marathon-kiptum-beriso|publisher=[[World Athletics]]|author=Emeterio Valiente|date=4 December 2022|access-date=5 December 2022}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align=center|19 || 2:03:04 || [[Lawrence Cherono]] || {{KEN}} || 6 December 2020 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || {{r|2020.valencia}}
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align=center|20 || 2:03:11 || [[Alexander Mutiso]] || {{KEN}} || 3 December 2023 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2023.valencia"/>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| rowspan="3" align="center" |21 || rowspan="3" |2:03:13 || [[Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai]] || {{KEN}} || 28 September 2014 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || {{r|2014.berlin}}
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| [[Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich]] || {{KEN}} || 25 September 2016 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || <ref name="Cathal Dennehy">{{cite news|title=Bekele gets back to his brilliant best at Berlin Marathon|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/kenenisa-bekele-berlin-marathon-2016|publisher=IAAF|author=Cathal Dennehy|date=25 September 2016|access-date=25 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160926154803/https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/kenenisa-bekele-berlin-marathon-2016|archive-date=26 September 2016|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| [[Vincent Kipkemoi]] || {{KEN}} || 24 September 2023 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || {{r|2023.berlin}}
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align=center|24 || 2:03:16 || [[Mule Wasihun]] || {{ETH}} || 28 April 2019 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="auto"/>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |25 || 2:03:17 || [[Milkesa Mengesha]] || {{ETH}} || 29 September 2024 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] ||<ref name="Berlin2024">{{cite news|title=Mengesha and Ketema claim Berlin Marathon crowns|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/50th-berlin-marathon-2024-mengesha-ketema|publisher=World Athletics|date=29 September 2024|access-date=2 October 2024}}</ref>
|}

'''Notes'''
* [[Eliud Kipchoge]] (Kenya) ran a time of 1:59:40.2 at the [[Ineos 1:59 Challenge]] in Vienna on 12 October 2019. This event was run with no other competitors and with the assistance of fuel and hydration on demand and in-out pacemakers. Therefore, the attempt was not eligible for official ratification.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kipchoge Breaks 2-Hour Barrier in Vienna|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/eliud-kipchoge-breaks-two-hours-vienna|publisher=IAAF|author=Bob Ramsak|date=12 October 2019|access-date=13 October 2019}}</ref> This was faster than his previous assisted run of 2:00:25 at the [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]] [[Breaking2]] in Monza on 6 May 2017, which was also ineligible.<ref>{{cite news|title=Kipchoge a 'happy man' in Monza|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/breaking-2-marathon-eliud-kipchoge-monza|publisher=IAAF|author=Jon Mulkeen|date=6 May 2017|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170506110939/https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/breaking-2-marathon-eliud-kipchoge-monza|archive-date=6 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[John Korir (runner, born 1996)|John Korir]] (Kenya) ran a time of 2:01:52 at the [[Boston Marathon]] on 20 April 2026 that was run on an assisted course (in the case of Boston, a point-to-point, net downhill course in excess of the standards) and is therefore ineligible for record purposes per World Athletics Competition Rule 31.21
* [[Titus Ekiru]] (Kenya) ran a time of 2:02:57 at the [[Milano City Marathon]] on 16 May 2021,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ekiru and Gebrekidan break Italian all-comers' records in Milan|url=https://www.worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/milan-marathon-2021-ekiru-gebrekidan|publisher=World Athletics|author=Diego Sampaolo|date=16 May 2021|access-date=8 June 2021}}</ref> but was later disqualified due to doping violations.
* [[Geoffrey Mutai]] (Kenya) ran a time of 2:03:02 at the Boston Marathon on 18 April 2011 that was run on an assisted course and is therefore ineligible for record purposes per IAAF rule 260.28
* [[Moses Mosop]] (Kenya) ran a time of 2:03:06 at the Boston Marathon on 18 April 2011 that was run on an assisted course and is therefore ineligible for record purposes per IAAF rule 260.28

==== Women ====
{| class="wikitable sortable"
! {{abbr|Ath.#|Athlete rank}}  !! {{abbr|Perf.#|Performance rank}} !! Time !! Athlete !! Nation !! Date !! Place !! class="unsortable" | {{refh}}
|-bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
|align=center|1
|align=center|1
|2:09:56
|[[Ruth Chepng'etich]]
|{{KEN}}
|13 October 2024
|[[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|<ref name="'Chicago2024">{{cite news|title=Chepngetich smashes world marathon record in Chicago with 2:09:56|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/chepngetich-world-marathon-record-chicago|publisher=World Athletics|date=13 October 2024|access-date=15 October 2024}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |2 || align="center" |2 || 2:10:51 || [[Fotyen Tesfay]] || {{ETH}} || 15 March 2026 || [[Barcelona Marathon|Barcelona]] || <ref name="Barcelona2026">{{cite news|title=Tesfay goes No.2 all time with 2:10:51 marathon debut in Barcelona|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/barcelona-marathon-2026-fotyen-tesfay|publisher=World Athletics|date=15 March 2026|access-date=17 March 2026}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |3 || align="center" |3 || 2:11:53 || [[Tigst Assefa]] || {{ETH}} || 24 September 2023 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || <ref name="2023.berlin">{{cite web|title=Assefa smashes world marathon record in Berlin with 2:11:53, Kipchoge achieves record fifth win|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/tigst-assefa-world-marathon-record-berlin-kipchoge-2023|work=World Athletics|date=24 September 2023|access-date=24 September 2023}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align=center|4 || align="center" |4 || 2:13:44 || [[Sifan Hassan]] || {{NED}} || 8 October 2023 || [[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]] || <ref name=":0"/>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
|align=center|5
|align=center|5
|2:14:00
|[[Joyciline Jepkosgei]]
|{{KEN}}
|7 December 2025
|[[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|<ref name="Valencia25"/>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |6 || align="center" |6 || 2:14:04 || [[Brigid Kosgei]] || {{KEN}} || 13 October 2019 || [[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]] || <ref>{{cite news|title=Kosgei smashes marathon world record in Chicago|url=https://www.iaaf.org/news/report/chicago-marathon-2019-world-record-brigid-kos|publisher=IAAF|author=Jon Mulkeen|date=13 October 2019|access-date=17 October 2019}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" rowspan="2"| || align="center" |7 || 2:14:18 || ''Chepng'etich #2'' || rowspan="2"| || 9 October 2022 || [[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]] || <ref>{{cite news|title=Chepngetich dominates in Chicago with second-fastest marathon in history|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/chicago-marathon-2022-chepngetich-kipruto|publisher=World Athletics|date=9 October 2022|access-date=9 October 2022}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |8 || 2:14:29 || ''Kosgei #2'' || 1 March 2026 || [[2026 Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]] || <ref>{{cite web|title=Women's Marathon Results|url=https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7236397?eventId=10229534&gender=W|website=World Athletics|access-date=14 March 2026}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
|align=center|7
|align=center|9
|2:14:43
|[[Peres Jepchirchir]]
|{{KEN}}
|7 December 2025
|[[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|<ref name="Valencia25"/>
|-bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |8
| align="center" |10
|2:14:57
|[[Hawi Feysa]]
|{{ETH}}
|12 October 2025
|[[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|<ref name="Chicago25"/>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |9 || align="center" |11 || 2:14:58 || [[Amane Beriso Shankule]] || {{ETH}} || 4 December 2022 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2022.valencia" />
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |10 || align="center" |12 || 2:15:25 || [[Paula Radcliffe]] || {{GBR2}} || 13 April 2003 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/news/news/radcliffe-runs-21525-in-london |title=Radcliffe runs 2:15:25 in London! |date=13 April 2003 |publisher=World Athletics |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828171154/https://www.worldathletics.org/news/news/radcliffe-runs-21525-in-london |archive-date=28 August 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021 |url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="4" | || rowspan="2" align="center" |13 || rowspan="2" |2:15:37 || ''Assefa #2'' || rowspan="4" | || 25 September 2022 || [[Berlin Marathon|Berlin]] || <ref>{{cite web|title=Tigist Assefa 2022 Berlin Marathon Results|url=https://berlin.r.mikatiming.com/2022/?content=detail&fpid=list&pid=list&idp=HCH3C0OH545A7&lang=EN_CAP&event=BML&search%5Bsex%5D=W&search%5Bage_class%5D=%25&search_event=BML|work=mikatiming.com|date=25 September 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref><ref name="Kipchoge breaks world record in Ber">{{cite news|title=Kipchoge breaks world record in Berlin with 2:01:09|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/eliud-kipchoge-world-record-berlin-marathon-2022|publisher=World Athletics|date=25 September 2022|access-date=26 September 2022}}</ref>
|-
| ''Chepng'etich #3''|| 8 October 2023 || [[Chicago Marathon|Chicago]] || <ref name=":0" />
|-
| align="center" |15 || 2:15:41{{nbsp}}{{AthAbbr|Wo}} || ''Assefa #3'' || 26 April 2026 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="london.2026"/>
|-
| align="center" |16 || 2:15:50{{nbsp}}{{AthAbbr|Wo}}  || ''Assefa #4'' || 27 April 2025 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="London2025"/>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |11 || align="center" |17 || 2:15:51 || [[Worknesh Degefa]] || {{ETH}} || 3 December 2023 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2023.valencia" />
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |12 || align="center" |18 || 2:15:53{{nbsp}}{{AthAbbr|Wo}} || [[Hellen Obiri]] || {{KEN}} || 26 April 2026 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="london.2026"/>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |13
| align="center" |19
|2:15:55
|[[Sutume Kebede]]
|{{ETH}}
|3 March 2024
|[[Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]]
|<ref name="Tokyo2024" />
|-
| rowspan="2" | || align="center" |19 || 2:15:55{{nbsp}}{{AthAbbr|Wo}}  || ''Jepkosgei #2'' || rowspan="2" | || 26 April 2026 || [[London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="london.2026"/>
|-
| align="center" |21 || 2:16:02 || ''Kosgei #3'' || 6 March 2022 || [[Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]] ||
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |14 || align="center" |22 || 2:16:07 || [[Tigist Ketema]] || {{ETH}} || 7 January 2024 || [[Dubai Marathon|Dubai]]|| <ref>{{cite web|title=Ketema stuns with 2:16:07 marathon debut in Dubai|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/dubai-marathon-2024-ketema|website=World Athletics|date=7 January 2024|access-date=7 January 2024}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |15
| align="center" |23
|2:16:14
|[[Rosemary Wanjiru]]
|{{KEN}}
|3 March 2024
|[[Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]]
|<ref>{{cite web|title=Kipruto and Kebede run Japanese all-comers' records in Tokyo|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/kipruto-kebede-japanese-all-comers-records-tokyo-marathon-2024|publisher=World Athletics|date=3 March 2024|access-date=3 March 2024}}</ref>
|-
| || align="center" |24 || 2:16:16{{nbsp}}{{AthAbbr|Wo}} || ''Jepchirchir #2'' || || 21 April 2024 || [[2024 London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="London2024">{{cite news|title=Jepchirchir breaks women-only world marathon record in London|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/peres-jepchirchir-women-world-marathon-record-london|work=[[World Athletics]]|date=21 April 2024|access-date=22 April 2024}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#f6F5CE"
| align="center" |16 || align="center" |25 || 2:16:22 || [[Almaz Ayana]] || {{ETH}} || 3 December 2023 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2023.valencia" />
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |17 || rowspan="9"| || 2:16:34{{nbsp}}{{AthAbbr|Wo}} || [[Alemu Megertu]] || {{ETH}} || 21 April 2024 || [[2024 London Marathon|London]] || <ref name="London2024" />
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |18 || 2:16:49 || [[Letesenbet Gidey]] || {{ETH}} || 4 December 2022 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2022.valencia" />
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |19 || 2:16:52 || [[Yalemzerf Yehualaw]] || {{ETH}} || 20 October 2024 || [[Amsterdam Marathon|Amsterdam]] || <ref name="'Amsterdam2024">{{cite news|title=Yehualaw breaks Amsterdam course record, Getachew regains title|url=https://worldathletics.org/competitions/world-athletics-label-road-races/news/amsterdam-marathon-yehualaw-getachew-2024|publisher=World Athletics|date=20 October 2024|access-date=2 November 2024}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |20 || 2:16:56 || [[Winfridah Moraa Moseti]] || {{KEN}} || 2 March 2025 || [[Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo]] || <ref name="Tokyo2025">{{cite web|title=Tokyo Marathon 2025: All results and times - complete list|url=https://www.olympics.com/en/news/tokyo-marathon-2025-results|website=olympics.com|author=Shintaro Kano|date=2 March 2025|access-date=23 March 2025}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |21 ||2:17:01{{nbsp}}{{AthAbbr|Wo}}|| [[Mary Jepkosgei Keitany]]|| {{KEN}} || 23 April 2017 || [[London Marathon|London]]|| <ref name="2017.london">{{cite web |url=https://www.worldathletics.org/news/report/london-marathon-2017-keitany-world-record |title=Keitany breaks women's-only world record at London Marathon |publisher=World Athletics |date=23 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828171157/https://www.worldathletics.org/news/report/london-marathon-2017-keitany-world-record |archive-date=28 August 2021 |access-date=28 August 2021 |url-status=bot: unknown }}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |22 || 2:17:05 || [[Brillian Jepkorir Kipkoech]] || {{KEN}} || 26 April 2026 || [[Hamburg Marathon|Hamburg]] || <ref>{{cite web|title=2026 Hamburg Marathon Results|url=https://worldathletics.org/competition/calendar-results/results/7241782?eventId=10229534|website=World Athletics|access-date=19 May 2026}}</ref>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align=center|23 || 2:17:29 || [[Sheila Chepkirui]] || {{KEN}} || 4 December 2022 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2022.valencia"/>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align=center|24  || 2:17:36 || [[Tadu Teshome Nare]] || {{ETH}} || 4 December 2022 || [[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]] || <ref name="2022.valencia"/>
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| align="center" |25 || 2:17:37 || [[Aynalem Desta]] || {{ETH}} || 19 October 2025 || [[Amsterdam Marathon|Amsterdam]]||
|}

'''Notes'''
* [[Tsehay Gemechu]] (Ethiopia) ran a time of 2:16:56 at the [[2023 Tokyo Marathon|Tokyo Marathon]] on 5 March 2023. She received a four-year ban in October 2024, backdated to the provisional suspension issued in November 2023, for an anti-doping rule violation indicated by abnormalities in her Athlete Biological Passport. All her results from March 2020 onwards were disqualified.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://athleticsweekly.com/athletics-news/ethiopian-marathoner-gemechu-suspended-for-doping-1039973519/ |date=30 November 2023 |access-date=1 December 2023 |title=Ethiopian marathoner Gemechu suspended for doping |work=Athletics Weekly}}</ref>

===World leading times===
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
{{Sticky header}}
====Men====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sticky-header sortable" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
!scope="col"|Year
!scope="col"|Time
!scope="col"|Athlete
!scope="col"|Place
|-
!scope="row"|[[2000 in the sport of athletics|2000]]
|2:06:36
|{{flagathlete|[[António Pinto (runner)|António Pinto]]|POR}}
|[[2000 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2001 in the sport of athletics|2001]]
|2:06:50
|{{flagathlete|[[Josephat Kiprono]]|KEN}}
|[[Rotterdam Marathon|Rotterdam]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2002 in the sport of athletics|2002]]
|2:05:38
|{{flagathlete|[[Khalid Khannouchi]]|USA}}
|[[2002 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2003 in the sport of athletics|2003]]
|2:04:55
|{{flagathlete|[[Paul Tergat]]|KEN}}
|[[2003 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2004 in the sport of athletics|2004]]
|2:06:14
|{{flagathlete|[[Felix Limo]]|KEN}}
|[[Rotterdam Marathon|Rotterdam]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2005 in the sport of athletics|2005]]
|2:06:20
|{{flagathlete|[[Haile Gebrselassie]]|ETH|1996}}
|[[Amsterdam Marathon|Amsterdam]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2006 in the sport of athletics|2006]]
|2:05:56
|{{flagathlete|[[Haile Gebrselassie]]|ETH|1996}}
|[[2006 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2007 in the sport of athletics|2007]]
|2:04:26
|{{flagathlete|[[Haile Gebrselassie]]|ETH|1996}}
|[[2007 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2008 in the sport of athletics|2008]]
|2:03:59
|{{flagathlete|[[Haile Gebrselassie]]|ETH|1996}}
|[[2008 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="rowgroup" rowspan=2|[[2009 in the sport of athletics|2009]]
|rowspan=2|2:04:27
|{{flagathlete|[[Duncan Kibet]]|KEN}}
|rowspan=2|[[Rotterdam Marathon|Rotterdam]]
|-
|{{flagathlete|[[James Kwambai]]|KEN}}
|-
!scope="row"|[[2010 in the sport of athletics|2010]]
|2:04:48
|{{flagathlete|[[Patrick Makau Musyoki]]|KEN}}
|[[Rotterdam Marathon|Rotterdam]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2011 in the sport of athletics|2011]]
|2:03:38
|{{flagathlete|[[Patrick Makau Musyoki]]|KEN}}
|[[2011 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2012 in the sport of athletics|2012]]
|2:04:15
|{{flagathlete|[[Geoffrey Mutai]]|KEN}}
|[[2012 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2013 in the sport of athletics|2013]]
|2:03:23
|{{flagathlete|[[Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich]]|KEN}}
|[[2013 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2014 in the sport of athletics|2014]]
|2:02:57
|{{flagathlete|[[Dennis Kimetto]]|KEN}}
|[[2014 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2015 in the sport of athletics|2015]]
|2:04:00
|{{flagathlete|[[Eliud Kipchoge]]|KEN}}
|[[2015 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2016 in the sport of athletics|2016]]
|2:03:03
|{{flagathlete|[[Kenenisa Bekele]]|ETH}}
|[[2016 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2017 in the sport of athletics|2017]]
|2:03:32
|{{flagathlete|[[Eliud Kipchoge]]|KEN}}
|[[2017 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2018 in the sport of athletics|2018]]
|2:01:39
|{{flagathlete|[[Eliud Kipchoge]]|KEN}}
|[[2018 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2019 in the sport of athletics|2019]]
|2:01:41
|{{flagathlete|[[Kenenisa Bekele]]|ETH}}
|[[2019 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2020 in the sport of athletics|2020]]
|2:03:00
|{{flagathlete|[[Evans Chebet]]|KEN}}
|[[2020 Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2021 in the sport of athletics|2021]]
|2:03:36
|{{flagathlete|[[Bashir Abdi]]|BEL}}
|[[Rotterdam Marathon|Rotterdam]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2022 in the sport of athletics|2022]]
|2:01:09
|{{flagathlete|[[Eliud Kipchoge]]|KEN}}
|[[2022 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2023 in the sport of athletics|2023]]
|2:00:35
|{{flagathlete|[[Kelvin Kiptum]]|KEN}}
|[[2023 Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2024 in the sport of athletics|2024]]
|2:02:05
|{{flagathlete|[[Sabastian Sawe]]|KEN}}
|[[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2025 in the sport of athletics|2025]]
|2:02:16
|{{flagathlete|[[Sabastian Sawe]]|KEN}}
|[[2025 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2026 in the sport of athletics|2026]]
|1:59:30
|{{flagathlete|[[Sabastian Sawe]]|KEN}}
|rowspan=2|[[2026 London Marathon|London]]
|}
{{col-2}}

====Women====
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sticky-header sortable" style="font-size:95%;"
|-
!scope="col"|Year
!scope="col"|Time
!scope="col"|Athlete
!scope="col"|Place
|-
!scope="row"|[[2000 in the sport of athletics|2000]]
|2:21:33
|{{flagathlete|[[Catherine Ndereba]]|KEN}}
|[[2000 Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2001 in the sport of athletics|2001]]
|2:18:47
|{{flagathlete|[[Catherine Ndereba]]|KEN}}
|[[2001 Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2002 in the sport of athletics|2002]]
|2:17:18
|{{flagathlete|[[Paula Radcliffe]]|GBR}}
|[[2002 Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2003 in the sport of athletics|2003]]
|2:15:25
|{{flagathlete|[[Paula Radcliffe]]|GBR}}
|[[2003 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2004 in the sport of athletics|2004]]
|2:19:41
|{{flagathlete|[[Yoko Shibui]]|JPN}}
|[[2004 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2005 in the sport of athletics|2005]]
|2:17:42
|{{flagathlete|[[Paula Radcliffe]]|GBR}}
|[[2005 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2006 in the sport of athletics|2006]]
|2:19:36
|{{flagathlete|[[Deena Kastor]]|USA}}
|[[2006 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2007 in the sport of athletics|2007]]
|2:20:38
|{{flagathlete|[[Zhou Chunxiu]]|CHN}}
|[[2007 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2008 in the sport of athletics|2008]]
|2:19:19
|{{flagathlete|[[Irina Mikitenko]]|GER}}
|[[2008 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2009 in the sport of athletics|2009]]
|2:22:11
|{{flagathlete|[[Irina Mikitenko]]|GER}}
|[[2009 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2010 in the sport of athletics|2010]]
|2:22:04
|{{flagathlete|[[Atsede Bayisa]]|ETH}}
|[[Paris Marathon|Paris]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2011 in the sport of athletics|2011]]
|2:19:19
|{{flagathlete|[[Mary Jepkosgei Keitany]]|KEN}}
|[[2011 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2012 in the sport of athletics|2012]]
|2:18:37
|{{flagathlete|[[Mary Jepkosgei Keitany]]|KEN}}
|[[2012 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2013 in the sport of athletics|2013]]
|2:19:57
|{{flagathlete|[[Rita Jeptoo]]|KEN}}
|[[2013 Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2014 in the sport of athletics|2014]]
|2:20:18
|{{flagathlete|[[Tirfi Tsegaye]]|ETH}}
|[[2014 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2015 in the sport of athletics|2015]]
|2:19:25
|{{flagathlete|[[Gladys Cherono Kiprono]]|KEN}}
|[[2015 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2016 in the sport of athletics|2016]]
|2:19:41
|{{flagathlete|[[Tirfi Tsegaye]]|ETH}}
|[[2016 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2017 in the sport of athletics|2017]]
|2:17:01
|{{flagathlete|[[Mary Jepkosgei Keitany]]|KEN}}
|[[Dubai Marathon|Dubai]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2018 in the sport of athletics|2018]]
|2:18:11
|{{flagathlete|[[Gladys Cherono Kiprono]]|KEN}}
|[[2018 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2019 in the sport of athletics|2019]]
|2:14:04
|{{flagathlete|[[Brigid Kosgei]]|KEN}}
|[[2019 Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2020 in the sport of athletics|2020]]
|2:17:16
|{{flagathlete|[[Peres Jepchirchir]]|KEN}}
|[[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2021 in the sport of athletics|2021]]
|2:17:43
|{{flagathlete|[[Joyciline Jepkosgei]]|KEN}}
|[[2021 London Marathon|London]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2022 in the sport of athletics|2022]]
|2:14:18
|{{flagathlete|[[Ruth Chepng'etich]]|KEN}}
|[[2022 Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2023 in the sport of athletics|2023]]
|2:11:53
|{{flagathlete|[[Tigst Assefa]]|ETH}}
|[[2023 Berlin Marathon|Berlin]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2024 in the sport of athletics|2024]]
|2:09:56
|{{flagathlete|[[Ruth Chepng'etich]]|KEN}}
|[[2024 Chicago Marathon|Chicago]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2025 in the sport of athletics|2025]]
|2:14:00
|{{flagathlete|[[Joyciline Jepkosgei]]|KEN}}
|[[Valencia Marathon|Valencia]]
|-
!scope="row"|[[2026 in the sport of athletics|2026]]
|2:10:51
|{{flagathlete|[[Fotyen Tesfay]]|ETH}}
|[[Barcelona Marathon|Barcelona]]
|}
{{col-end}}

===Oldest marathoner===
[[Fauja Singh]], then 100, finished the [[Toronto Waterfront Marathon]], becoming the first centenarian ever to officially complete that distance. Singh, a British citizen, finished the race on 16 October 2011 with a time of 8:11:05.9, making him the oldest marathoner.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/100-year-old-sets-record-with-marathon-finish-1.1091974 |title=100-year-old sets record with marathon finish |publisher=CBC News |date=16 October 2011 |access-date=17 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211130208/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/100-year-old-sets-record-with-marathon-finish-1.1091974 |archive-date=11 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Because Singh could not produce a birth certificate from rural 1911 Colonial India, the place of his birth, his age could not be verified and his record was not accepted by the official governing body [[World Masters Athletics]].

[[Johnny Kelley]] ran his last full [[Boston Marathon]] at the documented age of 84 in 1992. He previously had won the Boston Marathon in both 1935 and 1945 respectively. Between 1934 and 1950, Johnny finished in the top five 15 times, consistently running in the 2:30s and finishing in second place a record seven times at Boston. A fixture at Boston for more than a half century, his 1992 61st start and 58th finish in Boston is a record which still stands today.

Gladys Burrill, a 92-year-old Prospect, Oregon woman and part-time resident of Hawaii, previously held the ''[[Guinness World Records]]'' title of oldest person to complete a marathon with her 9 hours 53 minutes performance at the 2010 [[Honolulu Marathon]].<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8431206/Gladyator-aged-92-breaks-marathon-record.html 'Gladyator' aged 92 breaks marathon record] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915190056/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/8431206/Gladyator-aged-92-breaks-marathon-record.html |date=15 September 2018 }}. Telegraph (6 April 2011). Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref><ref>[http://www.dailyindia.com/show/433449.php Brit woman, 92, breaks world record after finishing Honolulu Marathon] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110409185418/http://www.dailyindia.com/show/433449.php |date=9 April 2011 }}. Dailyindia.com. Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref> The records of the [[Association of Road Racing Statisticians]], at that time, however, suggested that Singh was overall the oldest marathoner, completing the 2004 London Marathon at the age of 93 years and 17 days, and that Burrill was the oldest female marathoner, completing the 2010 Honolulu Marathon at the age of 92 years and 19 days.<ref name="ARRS-SA_Mara">{{cite web |title=World Single Age Records- Marathon |url=https://arrs.run/SA_Mara.htm |work=Association of Road Racing Statisticians |date=20 January 2011 |access-date=6 April 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915190158/https://arrs.run/SA_Mara.htm |archive-date=15 September 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> Singh's age was also reported to be 93 by other sources.<ref>Fenton, Ben. (19 April 2004) [https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1459650/Everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-marathon-but-were-too-exhausted-to-ask.html Everything you wanted to know about the marathon but were too exhausted to ask] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180915190151/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1459650/Everything-you-wanted-to-know-about-the-marathon-but-were-too-exhausted-to-ask.html |date=15 September 2018 }}. Telegraph. Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref><ref>[https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/london-marathon-25-reasons-to-celebrate-the-london-marathon-489404.html London Marathon: 25 reasons to celebrate the London Marathon&nbsp;– More Sports, Sport] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211125945/http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/general/london-marathon-25-reasons-to-celebrate-the-london-marathon-489404.html |date=11 February 2017 }}. The Independent (16 April 2005). Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref>

In 2015, 92-year-old Harriette Thompson of Charlotte, North Carolina, completed the [[Rock 'n' Roll San Diego Marathon]] in 7 hours 24 minutes 36 seconds, thus becoming the oldest woman to complete a marathon.<ref name="theguardian1">{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/01/harriette-thompson-92-oldest-woman-complete-marathon-san-diego |title=Harriette Thompson, 92, becomes oldest woman to complete a marathon &#124; Sport |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=2015-06-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211125120/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/jun/01/harriette-thompson-92-oldest-woman-complete-marathon-san-diego |archive-date=11 February 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> While Gladys Burrill was 92 years and 19 days old when she completed her record-setting marathon, Harriette Thompson was 92 years and 65 days old when she completed hers.<ref name="theguardian1"/>

English born Canadian [[Ed Whitlock]] is the oldest to complete a marathon in under 3 hours at age 74, and under 4 hours at age 85.<ref name=arrsmar>{{Cite web|url=https://arrs.run/SA_Mara.htm|title=Single Age Records Marathon|website=arrs.run|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190418182954/https://arrs.run/SA_Mara.htm|archive-date=18 April 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/ed-whitlock-toronto-marathon-record-1.3808191 |title=Archived copy |access-date=21 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181218135636/https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/programs/metromorning/ed-whitlock-toronto-marathon-record-1.3808191 |archive-date=18 December 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Youngest marathoner===
[[Budhia Singh]], a boy from [[Odisha]], India, completed his first marathon at age five. He trained under the coach Biranchi Das, who saw potential in him. In May 2006, Budhia was temporarily banned from running by the ministers of child welfare, as his life could be at risk. His coach was also arrested for exploiting and cruelty to a child and was later murdered in an unrelated incident. Budhia is now at a state-run sports academy.<ref>[http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/03/boy-who-ran-marathons-at-3-still-worries-filmmaker 3 year-old marathon runner] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131007033925/http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2011/11/03/boy-who-ran-marathons-at-3-still-worries-filmmaker/ |date=7 October 2013 }} Retrieved 4 July 2013</ref>

The youngest under 4 hours is [[Mary Etta Boitano]] at age 7 years, 284 days; under 3 hours Julie Mullin at 10 years 180 days; and under 2:50 Carrie Garritson at 11 years 116 days.<ref name=arrsmar/>

=== Participation ===
In 2016, [[Running USA]] estimated that there were approximately 507,600 marathon finishers in the United States,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2017|title=2016 Running USA Annual Marathon Report {{!}} Running USA|website=www.runningusa.org|access-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820034141/http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2017|archive-date=20 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> while other sources reported greater than 550,000 finishers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.findmymarathon.com/statistics.php|title=Marathon Statistics&nbsp;— FindMyMarathon.com|website=findmymarathon.com|language=en|access-date=2017-08-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170820010506/http://findmymarathon.com/statistics.php|archive-date=20 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> The chart below from Running USA provides the estimated U.S. Marathon Finisher totals going back to 1976.

Marathon running has become an obsession in [[China]], with 22 marathon races in 2011 increasing to 400 in 2017. In 2015, 75 Chinese runners participated in the Boston Marathon and this increased to 278 in 2017.<ref>{{cite news |last=Meyers |first=Jessica |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/09/11/running-booms-china-marathoners-look-boston/CyNIlUrjFVkoBet488xPUK/story.html |title=As running booms in China, marathoners look to Boston |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=2017-09-11 |access-date=2017-09-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171217061736/http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2017/09/11/running-booms-china-marathoners-look-boston/CyNIlUrjFVkoBet488xPUK/story.html |archive-date=17 December 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref>

===Multiple marathons===
As marathon running has become more popular, some athletes have undertaken challenges involving running a series of marathons.

The [[100 Marathon Club]] is intended to provide a focal point for all runners, particularly from the United Kingdom or Ireland, who have completed 100 or more races of marathon distance or longer. At least 10 of these events must be United Kingdom or Ireland Road Marathons.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.100marathonclub.org.uk/ |title=100 Marathon Club |publisher=100 Marathon Club |access-date=12 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120909062215/http://www.100marathonclub.org.uk/ |archive-date=9 September 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> Club chairman Roger Biggs has run more than 700 marathons or ultras. Brian Mills completed his 800th marathon on 17 September 2011.

Steve Edwards, a member of the 100 Marathon Club, set the world record for running 500 marathons in the fastest average finish time of 3 hours 15 minutes, at the same time becoming the first man to run 500 marathons with an official time below 3 hours 30 minutes, on 11 November 2012 at Milton Keynes, England. The records took 24 years to achieve. Edwards was 49 at the time.<ref>{{cite news|last=Trevallion|first=Lucy|title=New multi marathon world record|url=http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/new-multi-marathon-world-record/8929.html|access-date=14 November 2012|newspaper=Runner's World UK|date=13 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121116005437/http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/new-multi-marathon-world-record/8929.html|archive-date=16 November 2012}}</ref>

Over 350 individuals have completed a marathon in each state of the United States plus Washington, D.C., and some have done it as many as eight times.<ref name=50D>[http://www.50anddcmarathongroupusa.com/finish1.cfm 50&DC Marathon Group U.S.A.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227230036/http://www.50anddcmarathongroupusa.com/finish1.cfm |date=27 December 2007 }}. Retrieved 11 April 2010.</ref> Beverly Paquin, a 22-year-old nurse from Iowa, was the youngest woman to run a marathon in all 50 states in 2010.<ref>[http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/10/20/mile-posts-and-now-the-rest-of-the-story-with-beverly-paquin/ Mile posts: And now the rest of the story with Beverly Paquin | Des Moines Register Staff Blogs] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120712011349/http://blogs.desmoinesregister.com/dmr/index.php/2010/10/20/mile-posts-and-now-the-rest-of-the-story-with-beverly-paquin/ |date=12 July 2012 }}. Blogs.desmoinesregister.com (20 October 2010). Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref> A few weeks later, still in 2010, Morgan Cummings (also 22) became the youngest woman to complete a marathon in all 50 states and DC.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20101120064652/http://alum.mit.edu/pages/sliceofmit/2010/11/16/alumna-runs-50-marathons-in-50-states-and-d-c-sets-record/ Alumna Runs Marathons in 50 States and D.C., Sets Record! « Slice of MIT by the Alumni Association]. Alum.mit.edu (16 November 2010). Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref> In 2004, Chuck Bryant of Miami, Florida, who lost his right leg below the knee, became the first amputee to finish this circuit.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.50anddcmarathongroupusa.com/accolades.cfm |title=Accolades |publisher=50anddcmarathongroupusa.com |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090601175136/http://www.50anddcmarathongroupusa.com/accolades.cfm |archive-date= 1 June 2009 }}</ref> Bryant has completed a total of 59 marathons on his prosthesis. Twenty-seven people have run a marathon on each of the seven continents, and 31 people have run a marathon in each of the Canadian provinces. In 1980, in what was termed the [[Marathon of Hope]], [[Terry Fox]], who had lost a leg to cancer and so ran with one artificial leg, attained {{convert|5373|km|mi|abbr=on}} of his proposed cross-Canada cancer fundraising run, maintaining an average of over {{convert|37|km|mi|abbr=on}}, close to the planned marathon distance, for each of 143 consecutive days.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-69-71/life_society/terry_fox/ |title=CBC Archives: television and radio spots on Terry Fox |publisher=Canadian Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060614072650/http://archives.cbc.ca/IDD-1-69-71/life_society/terry_fox/ |archive-date=14 June 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Kevin Counihan.jpg|thumb|left|Kevin Counihan (right), of the [[Achilles International|Achilles Track Club]], with his guide, running the 2011 Boston Marathon. He completed his 150th marathon at Boston in April 2014.]]
On 25 September 2011, Patrick Finney of Grapevine, Texas became the first person with multiple sclerosis to finish a marathon in each state of the United States. In 2004, "the disease had left him unable to walk. But unwilling to endure a life of infirmity, Finney managed to regain his ability to balance on two feet, to walk&nbsp;– and eventually to run&nbsp;– through extensive rehabilitation therapy and new medications."<ref>{{cite news|last=Richter|first=Marice|title=Multiple sclerosis patient finishes 50th marathon|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-multiple-sclerosis-marathon-idUSTRE78P4HN20110926|access-date=26 September 2011|work=Reuters|date=26 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927214518/http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/09/26/us-multiple-sclerosis-marathon-idUSTRE78P4HN20110926|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2003, British adventurer Sir [[Ranulph Fiennes]] completed seven marathons on seven continents in seven days.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3234479.stm |work=BBC News |title=Fiennes relishes marathon feat |date=3 November 2003 |access-date=26 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090527014129/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/3234479.stm |archive-date=27 May 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> He completed this feat despite suffering from a heart attack and undergoing a double heart bypass operation just four months before.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2007/oct/05/features11.g21 I am not a madman] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170211130352/https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2007/oct/05/features11.g21 |date=11 February 2017 }}. Interview with Guardian, 5 October 2007</ref> This feat has since been eclipsed by Irish [[ultramarathon]] runner [[Richard Donovan (runner)|Richard Donovan]] who in 2009 completed seven marathons on seven continents in under 132 hours (five and a half days).<ref>[http://www.independent.ie/national-news/irishman-runs-rings-around-marathon-records-1630137.html Irish Independent retrieved 120812] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018015001/http://www.independent.ie/national-news/irishman-runs-rings-around-marathon-records-1630137.html |date=18 October 2012 }}. Independent.ie (6 February 2009). Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> Starting 1 February 2012 he improved on this by completing the 7 on 7 in under 120 hours or in less than five days.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/video/?/video/sports/2012/02/28/ws-intv-ultramarathon-runner.cnn Interviewed on CNN] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923120616/http://edition.cnn.com/video/?%2Fvideo%2Fsports%2F2012%2F02%2F28%2Fws-intv-ultramarathon-runner.cnn |date=23 September 2012 }}. Edition.cnn.com (28 February 2012). Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref><ref>[http://www.worldmarathonchallenge.com/ Welcome to the World Marathon Challenge 2012] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918041054/http://www.worldmarathonchallenge.com/ |date=18 September 2012 }}. Worldmarathonchallenge.com. Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref>

On 30 November 2013, 69-year-old Larry Macon set a Guinness World Record for Most Marathons Run in a Year by Man by running 238 marathons. Larry Macon celebrated his 1,000th career marathon at the Cowtown Marathon in Ft. Worth on 24 February 2013.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/24/4640610/a-san-antonio-runner-runs-and.html|date=24 February 2013|first=Leanne|last=Davis|title=Cowtown notes: San Antonio runner logs his 1,000th marathon|work=Fort Worth Star-Telegram|access-date=28 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131103203755/http://www.star-telegram.com/2013/02/24/4640610/a-san-antonio-runner-runs-and.html|archive-date=3 November 2013|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other goals are to attempt to run marathons on a series of consecutive weekends (Richard Worley on 159 weekends),<ref>{{Cite news | first=Kathy | last=Orton | title=Texan's Weekend Job Provides Great Benefits | date=27 October 2004 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A407-2004Oct26.html |newspaper=The Washington Post | pages=D4 | access-date=28 November 2007 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107222854/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A407-2004Oct26.html | archive-date=7 November 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref> or to run the most marathons during a particular year or the most in a lifetime. A pioneer in running multiple marathons was [[Sy Mah]] of Toledo, Ohio, who ran 524 before he died in 1988.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://fox.nstn.ca/%7Edblaikie/n14se98d.html |title=The Sy Mah Trophy honours a running legend |last=Blaikie |first=David |date=14 September 1998 |work=Ultramarathon World |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981203031709/http://fox.nstn.ca/~dblaikie/n14se98d.html |archive-date= 3 December 1998 }}</ref> As of 30 June 2007, Horst Preisler of Germany had successfully completed 1214 marathons plus 347 ultramarathons, a total of 1561 events at marathon distance or longer.<ref>[http://100mc.de/statistik_30062008.html Gesamtstatistik zum 30.06.2008] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090221024020/http://100mc.de/statistik_30062008.html |date=21 February 2009 }}. 100mc.de (30 June 2008). Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> Sigrid Eichner, Christian Hottas and Hans-Joachim Meyer have also all completed over 1000 marathons each.<ref>[http://100mc.de/100mc.html 100 Marathon Club site (in German)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701071746/http://100mc.de/100mc.html |date=1 July 2009 }}. 100mc.de. Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> Norm Frank of the United States is credited with 945 marathons.<ref>[http://www.50anddcmarathongroupusa.com/megadivision.cfm 50 States & D.C. Marathon Group site] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071227230434/http://www.50anddcmarathongroupusa.com/megadivision.cfm |date=27 December 2007 }}. Retrieved 28 November 2007.</ref>

Christian Hottas is meanwhile the first runner who ever completed 2000 marathons. He ran his 2000th at TUI Marathon Hannover on 5 May 2013 together with a group of more than 80 friends from 11 countries, including 8 officers from the 100 Marathons Clubs U.K., North-America, Germany, Denmark, Austria and Italy.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.100marathonclub.at/?p%3D5207 |title=2000. Marathon von Christian Hottas – Mitglied der A-Eskorte &#124; 100 Marathon Club Austria |access-date=2013-06-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130629081643/http://www.100marathonclub.at/?p=5207 |archive-date=29 June 2013 }}. Retrieved 17 June 2013.</ref> Hottas completed his 2500th marathon on 4 December 2016.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kramer|first1=Michael|title=Christian Hottas lief seinen 2.500sten Marathon|url=http://www.runnersworld.de/marathon/christian-hottas-lief-seinen-2-500sten-marathon.457120.htm|access-date=21 March 2017|work=[[Runner's World|Runner's World Deutschland]]|date=5 December 2016|language=de|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322202726/http://www.runnersworld.de/marathon/christian-hottas-lief-seinen-2-500sten-marathon.457120.htm|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2010, [[Stefaan Engels]], a Belgian, set out to run the marathon distance every day of the year. Because of a foot injury he had to resort to a [[handcycle]] near the end of January 2010. However, on 5 February he was fully recovered and decided to reset the counter back to zero.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dou|first=Eva|title=Belgian sets world record for marathon running|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-belgium-marathonman-idUSTRE7192DL20110210|access-date=21 March 2017|work=Reuters|date=10 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111445/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-belgium-marathonman-idUSTRE7192DL20110210|archive-date=22 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> By 30 March he broke the existing record of Akinori Kusuda, from Japan, who completed 52 marathons in a row in 2009. On 5 February 2011, Engels had run 365 marathon distances in as many days.<ref>{{cite news|title=Belgian Stefaan Engels completes record 365th marathon|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12375646|access-date=8 February 2011|publisher=BBC|date=5 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208015646/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-12375646|archive-date=8 February 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[Ricardo Abad|Ricardo Abad Martínez]], from Spain, later ran 150 marathons in 150 consecutive days in 2009,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.corredordefondo.com/2010/04/seres-sobrehumanos/ |title=Seres sobrehumanos |publisher=Corredor de fondo |access-date=29 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008022128/http://www.corredordefondo.com/2010/04/seres-sobrehumanos/ |archive-date=8 October 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref> and subsequently 500 marathons in a row, from October 2010 to February 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.runningtrip.com/2012/02/challenge-accomplished-500-marathons-in-500-days/ |title=Challenge accomplished: 500 marathons in 500 days |date=13 February 2012 |access-date=2012-08-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121027162738/http://www.runningtrip.com/2012/02/challenge-accomplished-500-marathons-in-500-days/ |archive-date=27 October 2012 }}</ref> 

In 2024, Belgian Hilde Dosogne ran a marathon every day of the year. On 31 December, the 55-year-old ran her 366th and last marathon, a record for a woman (accounting for 15,445 kilometres, 22 pairs of shoes and 15 falls).<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 December 2024 |title=42 kilometer lopen, eten, slapen, werken, herhalen… een jaar lang: Hilde (55) loopt laatste marathon uit en zet waanzinnig record neer |url=https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20241231_92738993 |website=[[Het Nieuwsblad]] |language=nl}}</ref>

Some runners compete to run the same marathons for the most consecutive years. For example, [[Johnny Kelley]] completed 58 Boston Marathons (he entered the race 61 times).<ref>[[Johnny Kelley]]</ref>{{Circular reference|date=May 2018}}<ref>Litsky, Frank (8 October 2004) [https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/sports/othersports/08kelley.html John A. Kelley, Marathoner, Dies at 97] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528040723/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/08/sports/othersports/08kelley.html |date=28 May 2015 }}. ''[[The New York Times]]''. Retrieved 6 December 2009.</ref> Currently, the longest consecutive streak of Boston Marathon finishes—45 in a row—is held by Bennett Beach, of Bethesda, Maryland.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20849995/neil-weygandt-runner-with-longest-boston-streak-retires/|title=Runner With Longest Boston Streak Retires|first=Meghan|last=Kita|date=30 March 2012|website=Runner's World|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106145946/https://www.runnersworld.com/races-places/a20849995/neil-weygandt-runner-with-longest-boston-streak-retires/|archive-date=6 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Olympic medalists==
{{main|Marathons at the Olympics}}

===Men===
{{Olympic medalists in the men's marathon}}

===Women===
{{Olympic medalists in the women's marathon}}

==World Championship medalists==
{{main|Marathons at the World Athletics Championships}}

===Men===
{{World Championships in Athletics medalists in men's marathon}}

===Women===
{{World Championships in Athletics medalists in women's marathon}}

==General participation==
[[File:Stockholmmarathon 2009-start3.jpg|thumb|left|Start of the 2009 [[Stockholm Marathon]]]]
Most participants do not run a marathon to win. More important for most runners is their personal finishing time and their placement within their specific gender and age group, though some runners just want to finish. Strategies for completing a marathon include running the whole distance<ref name=higdon/> and a run–walk strategy.<ref name=galloway /> In 2005, the average marathon time in the U.S. was 4 hours 32 minutes 8 seconds for men, 5 hours 6 minutes 8 seconds for women.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/2005RecapOverview.cfm|title=2005 Total USA Marathon Finishers|publisher=Marathonguide.com|access-date=24 April 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080317061003/http://www.marathonguide.com/features/Articles/2005RecapOverview.cfm|archive-date=17 March 2008|url-status=live}}
</ref> In 2015, the men's and women's median marathon times were 4 hours 20 minutes 13 seconds and 4 hours 45 minutes 30 seconds respectively.<ref>
{{cite web|url=http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2016|title=2015 Running USA Annual Marathon Report|publisher=Running USA|access-date=6 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170505061210/http://www.runningusa.org/marathon-report-2016|archive-date=5 May 2017|url-status=live}}
</ref>

A goal many runners aim for is to break certain time barriers. For example, recreational first-timers often try to run the marathon under four hours; more competitive runners may attempt to finish under three hours.<ref name=Magee>{{cite web|url=http://www.allaboutrunning.net/sri-chinmoy-racesblog/running-sub-3-hour-marathon |title=Running a sub 3-hour marathon |publisher=allaboutrunning.net |access-date=22 August 2009 |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090215181724/http://www.allaboutrunning.net/sri-chinmoy-racesblog/running-sub-3-hour-marathon |archive-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> Other benchmarks are the qualifying times for major marathons. The [[Boston Marathon]], the oldest marathon in the United States, requires a qualifying time for all non-professional runners.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Qualifying.asp |title=Boston Athletic Association |publisher=Bostonmarathon.org |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608141549/http://www.bostonmarathon.org/BostonMarathon/Qualifying.asp |archive-date=8 June 2009 }}</ref> The [[New York City Marathon]] also requires a qualifying time for guaranteed entry, at a significantly faster pace than Boston's.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/run-in-2017|title=Run in 2017|date=7 September 2016|website=TCS New York City Marathon|access-date=7 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190503130030/https://www.tcsnycmarathon.org/run-in-2017|archive-date=3 May 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Typically, there is a maximum allowed time of about six hours after which the marathon route is closed, although some larger marathons keep the course open considerably longer (eight hours or more). Many marathons around the world have such time limits by which all runners must have crossed the finish line. Anyone slower than the limit will be picked up by a sweeper bus. In many cases the marathon organizers are required to reopen the roads to the public so that traffic can return to normal.

With the growth in popularity of marathon-running, many marathons across the United States and the world have been filling to capacity faster than ever before. When the Boston Marathon opened up registration for its 2011 running, the field capacity was filled within eight hours.<ref>[https://archive.boston.com/sports/marathon/articles/2010/10/19/marathon_fills_its_field_in_a_record_8_hours/ Online, sprinters win race: Marathon fills its field in a record 8 hours] . Boston.com (19 October 2010). Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref>

===Training===
[[File:Moonwalk 2009.jpg|thumb|left|[[MoonWalk (charity event)|MoonWalk]] is a nocturnal charity marathon to raise money for breast cancer research.]]
The long run is an important element in marathon training.<ref>McMillan, Greg [https://web.archive.org/web/20070219054928/http://www.mcmillanrunning.com/rununiv/marathonlongrun.htm The Marathon Long Run]. mcmillanrunning.com</ref> Recreational runners commonly try to reach a maximum of about {{convert|32|km|abbr=on}} in their longest weekly run and a total of about {{convert|64|km|abbr=on}} a week when training for the marathon, but wide variability exists in practice and in recommendations. More experienced marathoners may run a longer distance during the week. Greater weekly training mileages can offer greater results in terms of distance and endurance, but also carry a greater risk of training injury.<ref name="daniels" /> Most male elite marathon runners will complete weekly distances of over {{convert|160|km|abbr=on|-1}}.<ref name=daniels>{{Cite book| author=Daniels, J. | title=Daniels' Running Formula, 2nd Ed. |publisher=Human Kinetics Publishing | year=2005 | isbn=0-7360-5492-8}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref> It is recommended that those new to running should get a checkup from their doctor, as there are certain warning signs and risk factors that should be evaluated before undertaking any new workout program, especially marathon training.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/marathon-training-tips |title=Marathon Training Tips |publisher=Rush University Medical Center |access-date=24 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150702002552/https://www.rush.edu/health-wellness/discover-health/marathon-training-tips |archive-date=2 July 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Many training programs last a minimum of five or six months, with a gradual increase in the distance run and finally, for recovery, a period of [[tapering (sports)|tapering]] in the one to three weeks preceding the race. For beginners wishing to merely finish a marathon, a minimum of four months of running four days a week is recommended.<ref>Whitsett ''et al.'' (1998) The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. Master's Press.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20150403112959/http://www.calendarofmarathons.com/finishing-a-marathon/ Finishing A Marathon]}}. Calendarofmarathons.com. Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> Many trainers recommend a weekly increase in mileage of no more than 10%. It is also often advised to maintain a consistent running program for six weeks or so before beginning a marathon training program, to allow the body to adapt to the new stresses.<ref>{{Cite book| author=Burfoot, A. Ed
|title=Runner's World Complete Book of Running: Everything You Need to Know to Run for Fun, Fitness and Competition | url=https://archive.org/details/completebookofru00burf | url-access=registration |publisher=Rodale Books | year=1999 | isbn=1-57954-186-0}}{{Page needed|date=September 2010}}</ref> The marathon training program itself would suppose variation between hard and easy training, with a periodization of the general plan.<ref>
{{cite web
  | title = Training for a Marathon
  | author = Marius Bakken
  | url = http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/training-for-a-marathon.html
  | work= Marathon Training Schedule
  | access-date = 17 April 2009
  | author-link = Marius Bakken
  | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090209131411/http://www.marathon-training-schedule.com/training-for-a-marathon.html
  | archive-date = 9 February 2009
  | url-status = live  }}
</ref>

Training programs can be found at the websites of [[Runner's World]],<ref name=runnersworld>{{cite web |url=http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7123,s6-238-244-255-0,00.html |title=Marathon Training at Runner's World |publisher=Runnersworld.com |date=15 February 2008 |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813042740/http://www.runnersworld.com/subtopic/0,7123,s6-238-244-255-0,00.html |archive-date=13 August 2009 }}</ref> [[Hal Higdon]],<ref name=higdon>{{cite web |url=http://www.halhigdon.com/ |title=Training programs |publisher=Hal Higdon |access-date=22 August 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091027023511/http://www.halhigdon.com/ |archive-date=27 October 2009 |url-status=live}}</ref> [[Jeff Galloway]],<ref name=galloway/> and the [[Boston Athletic Association]],<ref name=boston>{{cite web|url=http://www.baa.org/programs/training-programs/marathon-training.aspx |title=Boston Athletic Association |publisher=Bostonmarathon.org |access-date=1 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120307074320/http://www.baa.org/programs/training-programs/marathon-training.aspx |archive-date= 7 March 2012 }}</ref> and in numerous other published sources, including the websites of specific marathons.

The last long training run might be undertaken up to two weeks prior to the event. Many marathon runners also [[carbohydrate loading|"carbo-load"]] (increase carbohydrate intake while holding total caloric intake constant) during the week before the marathon to allow their bodies to store more [[glycogen]].

===Glycogen and "the wall"===
{{Main|Hitting the wall}}
[[Carbohydrate]]s that a person eats are converted by the [[liver]] and [[muscle]]s into [[glycogen]] for storage. Glycogen burns rapidly to provide quick energy. Runners can store about 8 [[joule|MJ]] or 2,000 [[calorie|kcal]] worth of glycogen in their bodies, enough for about 30&nbsp;km/18–20 miles of running. Many runners report that running becomes noticeably more difficult at that point.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.half-marathon-running.com/HittingTheWall |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322111711/http://www.half-marathon-running.com/HittingTheWall |archive-date=22 March 2017 |title=Hitting the wall for marathon runners |publisher=Half-marathon-running.com |access-date=22 August 2009 }}</ref> When glycogen runs low, the body must then obtain energy by burning stored fat, which does not burn as readily. When this happens, the runner will experience dramatic [[fatigue]] and is said to "[[hitting the wall|hit the wall]]". The aim of training for the marathon, according to many coaches,<ref name=glyco>{{cite web |url=http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/Lesser-Known-Dangers-Associated-With-Marathons/ |title=Lesser-known Dangers Associated with Running a Marathon |last=Klein |first=Michael |date=3 October 2008 |work=E-articles.info |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117044405/http://e-articles.info/e/a/title/Lesser-Known-Dangers-Associated-With-Marathons/ |archive-date=17 January 2013}}</ref> is to maximize the limited glycogen available so that the fatigue of the "wall" is not as dramatic. This is accomplished in part by utilizing a higher percentage of energy from burned fat even during the early phase of the race, thus conserving glycogen.{{citation needed|date=July 2012}}

Carbohydrate-based "[[energy gel]]s" are used by runners to avoid or reduce the effect of "hitting the wall", as they provide easy to digest energy during the run. Energy gels usually contain varying amounts of sodium and potassium and some also contain caffeine. They need to be consumed with a certain amount of water. Recommendations for how often to take an energy gel during the race range widely.<ref name=glyco />

[[File:Boston marathon mile 25 helper 050418.jpg|thumb|A runner getting encouragement at Mile 25 of the Boston Marathon]]
Alternatives to gels include various forms of concentrated sugars, and foods high in simple carbohydrates that can be digested easily. Many runners experiment with consuming energy supplements during training runs to determine what works best for them. Consumption of food while running sometimes makes the runner sick. Runners are advised not to ingest a new food or medicine just prior to or during a race.<ref name=glyco /> It is also important to refrain from taking any of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory class of pain relievers ([[NSAIDs]], e.g., [[aspirin]], [[ibuprofen]], [[naproxen]]), as these drugs may change the way the kidneys regulate their blood flow and may lead to serious kidney problems, especially in cases involving moderate to severe dehydration. NSAIDS block the [[COX-2]] enzyme pathway to prevent the production of prostaglandins. These prostaglandins may act as inflammation factors throughout the body, but they also play a crucial role in maintenance of water retention. In less than 5% of the whole population that take NSAIDS, individuals may be more negatively sensitive to renal prostaglandin synthesis inhibition.<ref>{{cite journal|last=Brater|first=D. Craig|title=Effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on renal function: focus on cyclooxygenase −2–selective inhibition|journal=The American Journal of Medicine|date=17 January 2000|volume=107|issue=6|pages=65–70|doi=10.1016/S0002-9343(99)00369-1|pmid=10628595}}</ref>

===Temperature===

A study of the performance of 1.8 million participants in the Berlin, London, Paris, Boston, Chicago, and New York marathons during the years from 2001 to 2010 found that runners recorded their fastest times when the temperature was around {{convert|6|C}}, with an increase of 10&nbsp;°C (18&nbsp;°F) leading to a 1.5% reduction in speed.<ref name=PlosOne_1>{{cite journal |last1=Helou |first1=Nour |last2=Tafflet |first2=Muriel | last3=Berthelot | first3=Geoffroy | date=2012-05-23 | title=Impact of Environmental Parameters on Marathon Running Performance | journal=[[PLOS One]] |volume=7 |issue=5 |article-number=e37407 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0037407 |pmid=22649525 |pmc=3359364 |bibcode=2012PLoSO...737407E | quote=[Data in] Supplementary Table 3–Optimal temperatures for maximal running speeds of each level of performance, with speed losses associated with each temperature increase. |doi-access=free }}</ref><ref name=E_1 >{{ cite news | url=https://www.economist.com/game-theory/2017/10/04/can-the-marathons-two-hour-barrier-be-broken | title=Can the marathon's two-hour barrier be broken? | last=S | first=J | newspaper=[[The Economist]]| date=2017-10-04 | access-date=2020-07-02 | quote=While it is unclear how much—or even if—rain or humidity alone affect marathon times, a little heat can make a big difference. One study published in 2012 found that the optimum temperature was a chilly 4&nbsp;°C (39&nbsp;°F) for the top percentile of entrants, and that a rise of 10&nbsp;°C was associated with a 1.4% drop in speed, with bigger declines for lesser athletes. Another paper produced in 2007 offered no optimum point, but found that an increase in WetBulb Globe Temperature—an overall measure of heat stress—from 8&nbsp;°C to 17&nbsp;°C was linked to a 1.6% fall in performance for elite competitors. }}</ref> A July 2020 study found that increasing temperatures affected faster runners' performance more than slower ones.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Gasparetto|first1=Thadeu|last2=Nesseler|first2=Cornel |date=July 2020|title=Diverse Effects of Thermal Conditions on Performance of Marathon Runners|journal=Frontiers in Psychology|language=en|volume= 11|article-number=1438|doi=10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01438 |pmid=32719639|pmc=7350124| quote=We analyzed endurance performances of the top 1000 runners for every year during the last 12 New York City Marathons. Thermal conditions were estimated with wet-bulb globe temperature (WBGT) and universal thermal climate index (UTCI). Under identical thermal exposure, the fastest runners experienced a larger decline in performance than the slower ones. |doi-access=free}}</ref>

===After a marathon===
Marathon participation may result in various medical, [[human musculoskeletal system|musculoskeletal]], and [[dermatology|dermatological]] complaints.<ref>{{Cite journal|author=Jaworski CA |title=Medical concerns of marathons |journal=Current Sports Medicine Reports |volume=4 |issue=3 |pages=137–43 |date=June 2005 |pmid=15907265 |doi=10.1097/01.csmr.0000306196.51994.5f|s2cid=220577417 |doi-access=free }}</ref> [[Delayed onset muscle soreness]] (DOMS) is a common condition affecting runners during the first week following a marathon.<ref name="pfitzinger.com">[http://www.pfitzinger.com/labreports/marathonrecovery1.shtml Pete Pfitzinger&nbsp;– Lab Reports&nbsp;– Recovering From a Marathon, Part One] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510064350/http://www.pfitzinger.com/labreports/marathonrecovery1.shtml |date=10 May 2013 }}. Pfitzinger.com. Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref> Various types of mild exercise or [[massage]] have been recommended to alleviate pain secondary to DOMS.<ref name="pfitzinger.com"/> Dermatological issues frequently include "[[fissure of the nipple|jogger's nipple]]", "[[subungual hematoma|jogger's toe]]", and [[blister]]s.<ref>{{Cite journal|vauthors=Mailler EA, Adams BB |title=The wear and tear of 26.2: dermatological injuries reported on marathon day |journal=British Journal of Sports Medicine |volume=38 |issue=4 |pages=498–501 |date=August 2004 |pmid=15273194 |pmc=1724877 |doi=10.1136/bjsm.2004.011874}}</ref>

The [[immune system]] is reportedly suppressed for a short time.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Mackinnon|first=Laurel T.|date=July 2000|title=Chronic exercise training effects on immune function|url=https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005768-200007001-00001|journal=Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise|language=en|volume=32|issue=Supplement|pages=S369–S376|doi=10.1097/00005768-200007001-00001|pmid=10910293|issn=0195-9131|doi-access=free}}</ref> Changes to the blood chemistry, such as elevated Cardiac Troponin T,<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Aengevaeren |first1=Vincent L. |last2=Baggish |first2=Aaron L. |last3=Chung |first3=Eugene H. |last4=George |first4=Keith |last5=Kleiven |first5=Øyunn |last6=Mingels |first6=Alma M.A. |last7=Ørn |first7=Stein |last8=Shave |first8=Rob E. |last9=Thompson |first9=Paul D. |last10=Eijsvogels |first10=Thijs M.H. |date=2021-12-14 |title=Exercise-Induced Cardiac Troponin Elevations: From Underlying Mechanisms to Clinical Relevance |journal=Circulation |language=en |volume=144 |issue=24 |pages=1955–1972 |doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.121.056208 |issn=0009-7322 |pmc=8663527 |pmid=34898243}}</ref> may lead physicians to mistakenly diagnose heart malfunction.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Acevedo|first1=Edmund O.|last2=Dzewaltowski|first2=David A.|last3=Kubitz|first3=Karla A.|last4=Kraemer|first4=Robert R.|date=October 1999|title=Effects of a proposed challenge on effort sense and cardiorespiratory responses during exercise|url=https://insights.ovid.com/crossref?an=00005768-199910000-00016|journal=Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise|language=en|volume=31|issue=10|pages=1460–5|doi=10.1097/00005768-199910000-00016|pmid=10527320|issn=0195-9131|doi-access=free}}</ref>

After long training runs and the marathon itself, consuming [[carbohydrate]]s to replace glycogen stores and [[protein]] to aid muscle recovery is commonly recommended. In addition, soaking the lower half of the body for approximately 20 minutes in cold or ice water may force blood through the leg muscles to speed recovery.<ref>{{Cite book|title= Marathon Training for Dummies |last=Stouffer Drenth |first= Tere |year=2003 |publisher=Wiley Publishing Inc. |location=United States |page=182 |isbn=0-7645-2510-7}}</ref><ref>{{cite book| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=OKuOPY33WU4C&q=%22If+your+area+of+discomfort+is+large,+say,+your+entire+leg,+your+best+bet+is+to+take+an+ice+bath.%22| title = "Marathon Training For Dummies - Tere Stouffer Drenth - Google Books"| isbn = 978-0-7645-2510-0| last1 = Drenth| first1 = Tere Stouffer| date = 7 March 2003| publisher = Wiley}}</ref>

==Health risks==
{{See also|List of marathon fatalities}}
Marathon running has various health risks, though these can be diminished with preparation and care.<ref>Keener, Candace. (27 February 2008) [http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/marathon6.htm HowStuffWorks "The Health Risks of the Marathon"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100418183243/http://entertainment.howstuffworks.com/marathon6.htm |date=18 April 2010 }}. Entertainment.howstuffworks.com. Retrieved 19 April 2011.</ref> Training and the races themselves can put runners under stress. While very rare, even death is a possibility during a race.

Common minor health risks include [[blister]]s, [[tendonitis]], [[fatigue]], knee or ankle [[sprain]], dehydration ([[electrolyte imbalance]]), and other conditions. Many are categorised as overuse injuries.

===Cardiac health===
[[File:VVM 2007 foto 0284.JPG|thumb|Officers patrolling a marathon course in [[Ukraine]]]]
In 2016, a systematic medical review found that the risk of [[Sudden cardiac death of athletes|sudden cardiac death]] during or immediately after a marathon was between 0.6 and 1.9 deaths per 100,000 participants, varying across the specific studies and the methods used, and not controlling for age or gender.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=The Physician and Sportsmedicine |volume=44 |issue=1 |date=January 2016 |title=Sudden cardiac death in marathons: a systematic review |vauthors=Waite O, Smith A, Madge L, Spring H, Noret N |pages=79–84 |doi=10.1080/00913847.2016.1135036 |pmid=26765272 |s2cid=36458482 |url=http://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/1282/1/Waite%20et%20al%202016.pdf |access-date=19 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921225307/https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/1282/1/Waite%20et%20al%202016.pdf |archive-date=21 September 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref> Since the risk is small, cardiac screening programs for marathons are uncommon. However, this review was not an attempt to assess the overall cardiac health impact of marathon running.

A 2006 study of non-elite Boston Marathon participants tested runners for certain proteins that indicate heart damage or dysfunction (see [[Troponin]]) and gave them [[echocardiogram]] scans, before and after the marathon. The study revealed that, in that sample of 60 people, runners who had averaged fewer than {{convert|56|km|abbr=on}} of weekly training in the 4 months before the race were most likely to show some heart damage or dysfunction, while runners who had done more than {{convert|72|km|abbr=on}} of weekly training showed few or no heart problems.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Circulation |date=28 November 2006 |volume=114 |issue=22 |pages=2325–2533 |title=Myocardial injury and ventricular dysfunction related to training levels among non-elite participants in the Boston Marathon |vauthors=Neilan TG, etal |pmid=17101848 |doi=10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.647461|doi-access=free }}</ref>

According to a Canadian study presented in 2010, running a marathon can temporarily result in decreased function of more than half the muscle segments in the heart's main pumping chamber, but neighboring segments are generally able to compensate. Full recovery is reached within three months. The fitter the runner, the less the effect. The runners with decreased left ventricle function had an average peak weekly training distance of {{convert|55.1|km|abbr=on}}, while those who did not averaged {{convert|69.1|km|abbr=on}}. The marathon was held in {{convert|35|C}} weather. According to one of the researchers: "Regular exercise reduces cardiovascular risk by a factor of two or three in the long run, but while we're doing vigorous exercise such as marathon running, our cardiac risk increases by seven."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.livescience.com/10211-temporary-heart-damage-explain-marathon-deaths.html |title=Temporary Heart Damage May Explain Marathon Deaths |first=Stephanie |last=Pappas |publisher=Live Science |date=25 October 2010 |access-date=15 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417185619/http://www.livescience.com/10211-temporary-heart-damage-explain-marathon-deaths.html |archive-date=17 April 2017 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |journal=Canadian Journal of Cardiology |date=October 2013 |volume=29 |issue=10 |pages=1269–1276 |title=Transient Myocardial Tissue and Function Changes During a Marathon in Less Fit Marathon Runners |vauthors=Gaudreault V, etal |doi=10.1016/j.cjca.2013.04.022|pmid=23910227 }}</ref>

===Hydration===
[[File:Boston marathon mile 25 gatorade volunteer 050418.jpg|thumb|right|A volunteer hands out fluids at a marathon water stop.]]
Overconsumption is the most significant concern associated with water consumption during marathons. Drinking excessive amounts of fluid during a race can lead to dilution of sodium in the blood, a condition called [[exercise-associated hyponatremia]], which may result in vomiting, seizures, coma and even death.<ref>[http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch156/ch156d.html Merck Manual: Hyponatremia] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111045040/http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec12/ch156/ch156d.html |date=11 January 2011 }}. Merckmanuals.com. Retrieved 18 April 2013.</ref> Dr. Lewis G. Maharam, medical director for the New York City Marathon, stated in 2005: "There are no reported cases of dehydration causing death in the history of world running, but there are plenty of cases of people dying of hyponatremia."<ref>{{cite news | last=Kolata | first=Gina | date=20 October 2005 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/20/sports/othersports/20marathon.html | title=Marathoners Warned About Too Much Water |newspaper=The New York Times| access-date=10 February 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120830070009/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/20/sports/othersports/20marathon.html | archive-date=30 August 2012 | url-status=live}}</ref>

For example, Dr. Cynthia Lucero died at the age of 28 while participating in the 2002 [[Boston Marathon]]. It was Lucero's second marathon.<ref>{{cite news|title=Fluid Cited in Marathoner's Death|url=https://apnews.com/424edce6ed89d8adcb14d4d97c0448a3|access-date=14 March 2014|work=Associated Press News|date=13 August 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014128/http://www.apnewsarchive.com/2002/Fluid-Cited-in-Marathoner-s-Death/id-424edce6ed89d8adcb14d4d97c0448a3|archive-date=19 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> At mile 22, Lucero complained of feeling "dehydrated and rubber-legged."<ref>{{cite book|last=Noakes, MD, DSc|first=Tim|title=Waterlogged|date=1 May 2012|publisher=Human Kinetics|isbn=978-1-4504-2497-4|page=4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_zPW6FyqgAC&q=waterlogged|access-date=13 December 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160521181405/https://books.google.com/books?id=3_zPW6FyqgAC&printsec=frontcover&dq=waterlogged&hl=en&sa=X&ei=mM8jU5PjII7xkQecv4HICw&ved=0CCwQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=waterlogged&f=false|archive-date=21 May 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> She soon wobbled and collapsed to the ground, and was unconscious by the time the paramedics reached her. Lucero was admitted to Brigham and Women's Hospital and died two days later.<ref>{{cite news|title=ROAD RACING; Boston Marathon Runner Dies|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/19/sports/plus-road-racing-boston-marathon-runner-dies.html|access-date=14 March 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=19 April 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140423024040/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/19/sports/plus-road-racing-boston-marathon-runner-dies.html|archive-date=23 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>

Lucero's cause of death was determined to be [[hyponatremic encephalopathy]], a condition that causes swelling of the brain due to an imbalance of sodium in the blood known as [[exercise-associated hyponatremia]] (EAH). While EAH is sometimes referred to as "[[water intoxication]]", Lucero drank large amounts of [[Gatorade]] during the race,<ref name="WCVB">{{cite news|title=Doctors: Marathoner Died From Too Much Water|url=http://www.wcvb.com/Doctors-Marathoner-Died-From-Too-Much-Water/11334548|access-date=14 March 2014|newspaper=WCVB News|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419012323/http://www.wcvb.com/Doctors-Marathoner-Died-From-Too-Much-Water/11334548|archive-date=19 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Nearman|first=Steve|title=Too much of a good thing|url=http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/oct/23/20031023-114721-5381r/?page=all|access-date=14 March 2014|newspaper=The Washington Times|date=23 October 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140419014642/http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2003/oct/23/20031023-114721-5381r/?page=all|archive-date=19 April 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> demonstrating that runners who consume sodium-containing sports drinks in excess of thirst can still develop EAH.<ref name="WCVB" /><ref>{{cite journal |vauthors=Almond CS, Shin AY, Fortescue EB, etal |title=Hyponatremia among runners in the Boston Marathon |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=352 |issue=15 |pages=1550–6 |date=April 2005 |pmid=15829535 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa043901 |s2cid=42909509 |doi-access=free }}</ref> Because hyponatremia is caused by excessive water retention, and not just loss of sodium, consumption of sports drinks or salty foods may not prevent hyponatremia.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.amaasportsmed.org/news_room/hyponatremia_reuters.htm |title=Marathon Dilemma: How Much Water is Too Much? |year=2003 |last=Engler |first=Natalie |work=AMAASportsMed.org |publisher=American Running Association |agency=Reuters|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151110033029/http://www.amaasportsmed.org/news_room/hyponatremia_reuters.htm |archive-date=10 November 2015}}</ref>

Women are more prone to hyponatremia than men. A study in the ''[[New England Journal of Medicine]]'' found that 13% of runners completing the 2002 Boston Marathon had hyponatremia.<ref>{{Cite journal |vauthors=Almond CS, Shin AY, Fortescue EB, etal |title=Hyponatremia among runners in the Boston Marathon |journal=The New England Journal of Medicine |volume=352 |issue=15 |pages=1550–6 |date=April 2005 |pmid=15829535 |doi=10.1056/NEJMoa043901|s2cid=42909509 |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The International Marathon Medical Directors Association (IMMDA) advised in 2006 that fluid intake should be adjusted individually according to factors such as body weight, sex, climate, pace, fitness ([[VO2 max|VO<sub>2</sub> max]]), and sweat rate, as fluid requirements can vary between people depending on these variables. The IMMDA also recommended sports drinks that include carbohydrates and electrolytes instead of plain water and said that runners should "drink to thirst", trying to refrain from drinking at every fluid station before feeling thirsty.<ref name="IMMDA 2006">{{cite web|url=http://aimsworldrunning.org/guidelines_fluid_replacement.htm|title=IMMDA's REVISED FLUID RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RUNNERS & WALKERS|date=6 May 2006|author=Writing committee: Lewis G. Maharam, MD.FACSM (chair), Tamara Hew DPM, Arthur Siegel MD, Marv Adner, MD, Bruce Adams, MD and Pedro Pujol, MD, FACSM|publisher=Association of International Marathons and Distance Races|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120427085851/http://www.aimsworldrunning.org/guidelines_fluid_replacement.htm|archive-date=27 April 2012}}</ref> Heat exposure leads to diminished thirst drive and thirst may not be a sufficient incentive to drink in many situations.<ref name="Bethea, 2005">{{cite web|title=Dehydration Review, Report Number HSL/2005/29|url=http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2005/hsl0529.pdf#page=31|author1=Bethea, Damian|author2=Powell, Shuma|date=July 2005|publisher=Health & Safety Laboratory Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire|access-date=7 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110704112917/http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/hsl_pdf/2005/hsl0529.pdf#page=31|archive-date=4 July 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The IMMDA and HSL Harpur Hill give recommendations to drink fluid in small volumes frequently at an approximate rate falling between {{convert|100|-|250|ml|USfloz|abbr=on}} every 15 minutes.<ref name="Bethea, 2005" /><ref name="IMMDA 2006"/> A patient suffering hyponatremia can be given a small volume of a concentrated [[sodium chloride|salt]] solution intravenously to raise [[sodium]] concentrations in the blood. Some runners weigh themselves before running and write the results on their bibs. If anything goes wrong, [[first aid]] workers can use the weight information to tell if the patient had consumed too much water.

===Body temperature===
Exertional [[heat stroke]] is an emergency condition in which [[thermoregulation]] fails and the body temperature rises dangerously above {{convert|40|C|F}}. It becomes a greater risk in warm and humid weather, even for young and fit individuals. Treatment requires rapid physical cooling of the body.<ref>{{cite journal |journal=Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise |volume=39 |issue=3 |date=March 2007 |title=American College of Sports Medicine position stand: Exertional heat illness during training and competition |pages=556–572 |doi=10.1249/MSS.0b013e31802fa199 |pmid=17473783 | last1 = Armstrong | first1 = LE | last2 = Casa | first2 = DJ | last3 = Millard-Stafford | first3 = M | last4 = Moran | first4 = DS | last5 = Pyne | first5 = SW | last6 = Roberts | first6 = WO|s2cid=27001417 | doi-access = free }}</ref>

==Charity involvement==

Some charities seek to associate with various races. Some marathon organizers set aside a portion of their limited entry slots for charity organizations to sell to members in exchange for donations. Runners are given the option to sign up to run particular races, especially when marathon entries are no longer available to the general public.{{Citation needed|date = May 2012}} In some cases, charities organize their own marathon as a fund-raiser, gaining funds via entry fees or sponsorships.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

==Culture==
; Mars rover marathon
[[File:PIA19141.jpg|thumb|320px|Mars rover Opportunity's traverse in 2015 as it approached the Marathon Valley, and then traveled distance of a traditional marathon (about 42 kilometres (26 mi))]]
In 2015 the Mars rover [[Opportunity (rover)|Opportunity]] attained the distance of a marathon from its starting location on Mars. The valley where it achieved this distance was named Marathon Valley, which it then explored.<ref>{{Cite web |title=NASA's Opportunity Mars Rover Finishes Marathon, Clocks in at Just Over 11 Years - NASA |url=https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasas-opportunity-mars-rover-finishes-marathon-clocks-in-at-just-over-11-years/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Fleur |first=Nicholas St |date=2015-03-25 |title=NASA's Opportunity Rover Completes a Martian Marathon |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2015/03/nasas-opportunity-rover-completes-a-martian-marathon/388661/ |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{portal|Sport of athletics}}

Records
* [[Marathon world record progression]]
* [[National records in the marathon]]
Lists
* [[List of marathon races (disambiguation)|List of marathon races]]
* [[List of marathoners]]
* [[List of marathon national champions (men)]]
<!--No such list: *[[List of marathon national champions (women)]] -->
* [[List of non-professional marathon runners]]
Related races
* [[Ekiden]] (marathon relays)
* [[Half marathon]]
* [[Ultramarathon]]
Other endurance races
* [[Ironman Triathlon]]
* [[Mountain marathon]]
* [[Multi-day race]]
* [[Ski marathon]]
Organizations
* [[100 Marathon Club]]
* [[World Peace Marathon]]
Notable races
* [[Ineos 1:59 Challenge]]
* [[Man versus Horse Marathon]] <!-- not actually a marathon, being about 22 miles long -->
* [[Marathons at the Paralympics]]
<!-- * [[London UnderRound]] -- not a race but an unofficial running route more like fell running -->
Other related topics
* [[Pacemaker (running)]]
* [[Physiology of marathons]]

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Bibliography ==
* Hans-Joachim Gehrke, "From Athenian identity to European ethnicity: The cultural biography of the myth of Marathon," in Ton Derks, Nico Roymans (ed.), ''Ethnic Constructs in Antiquity: The Role of Power and Tradition'' (Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Press, 2009) (Amsterdam Archaeological Studies, 13), 85–100.
* Hans W. Giessen: Mythos Marathon. Von Herodot über Bréal bis zur Gegenwart. (= Landauer Schriften zur Kommunikations- und Kulturwissenschaft. Band 17). Verlag Empirische Pädagogik, Landau 2010
* Tom Derderian, ''Boston Marathon: History of the World's Premier Running Event'', Human Kinetics, 1994, 1996

== External links ==
{{Sister project links |wikt=Marathon |c=Category:Marathons |commonscat=Marathon running |n=yes |q=Marathons|s=no |author=no |b=no |v=no| voy=yes|d=Q40244}}
* [https://iaaf.gekko.de/?a=road-running&d=marathon IAAF list of marathon records in XML]

{{Marathon}}
{{Athletics events}}
{{Racing}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Marathons| ]]
[[Category:Marathon running|*]]
[[Category:Road running distances]]
[[Category:Athletic culture based on Greek antiquity]]
[[Category:Greek inventions]]
[[Category:Long-distance running disciplines]]
[[Category:Summer Olympic disciplines in athletics]]