Exactly 42.195 kilometres?

Between the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 and Paris in 1924, the distance of the marathon was in a permanent state of flux. It was officially set at 42.195 kilometres in 1921 and has stayed the same ever since.

By The Olympic Museum

Athènes 1896, la distance de 48 km rédigée par Pierre de Coubertin (1894-11-11) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum

Athens 1896: Pierre de COUBERTIN's letter that mentions distance

Created from an idea by Michel BRÉAL, marathons were originally run over an undefined distance of about 40 kilometres until 1921 . A letter handwritten by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894 initially refers to a marathon distance of 48 kilometres.

Athènes 1896, les premiers programmes (1894-11-24) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum

Athens 1896: the early programmes

In programmes printed on 24 November 1894, the distance changed again, and was now specified as 42 kilometres long.

Athènes 1896, le programme détaillé (1896) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum

Athens 1896: a 40-kilometre marathon

A detailed programme for athletics and gymnastics, dated 15 February 1896, specifies a 40-kilometre course for the fourth day: "The marathon race will be run on the public road from Marathon to the stadium. "

Londres 1908, la distance mythique (1908) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum

London 1908: the mythical distance

At the Olympic Games in London in 1908, organisers insisted that the race start on the lawn of Windsor Castle and finish in the White City Stadium, right in front of the Royal Box. This meant that the distance was set at 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 kilometres).

Londres 1908: déroulement de la course, admissions, liste des participants et indication de la remise des prix par la Reine., Comité International Olympique (CIO), 1908, From the collection of: The Olympic Museum

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Stockholm 1912, le premier aller-retour (1912) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum

Stockholm 1912: the first out-and-back course

For the Olympic Games 1912, the distance was changed to 40.2 kilometres (24.98 miles). For the very first time, the Olympic marathon took place in the form of an out-and-back course.

Anvers 1920, le plus long marathon (1920) by COSTELLE, DanielThe Olympic Museum

Antwerp 1920: the longest marathon

Up until 1921, marathons continued to be run over variable distances, with the longest probably being the Olympic Games Antwerp 1920 marathon, at 42.750 km, won by Finnish athlete Johannes KOLEHMAINEN (in 2 hours, 32 minutes and 35 seconds).

Paris 1924, la distance fixée (1924) by Comité International Olympique (CIO)The Olympic Museum

The distance is set for Paris 1924!

In 1921 the distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards) was officially accepted as the standard length for all future marathons. The IAAF records haven't explained why this peculiar distance dating back to 1908 was chosen.

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