Marathon

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Marathon in ancient Greece, the scene of a victory over the Persians in 490 bc; the modern marathon race (strictly one of 26 miles 38 yards or 42.195 km.) is based on the tradition that a messenger ran from Marathon to Athens (22 miles) with the news, dying with the words ‘Greetings, we win!’ on his arrival. The original account by Herodotus told of the messenger Pheidippides running 150 miles from Athens to Sparta before the battle, seeking help.

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