How Did the Marathon Distance Become Exactly 42.195 Kilometers?

💡 The Answer

• The 1908 London Olympics marathon started at Windsor Castle to please the royal family.
• The finish was in front of the Royal Box at the Olympic Stadium, making the distance exactly 26 miles 385 yards.
• This odd distance was later adopted as the standard marathon length in 1921.
• Prior to 1908, marathon distances varied widely between events.