The marathon race at the correct trainings having beneficial influence on health and the figure draws more and more attention. For some attempt to run the marathon – also the self-development element, the jump is higher than the head.
Now length of the marathon running is static and is measured with an accuracy of 0.1%. The distance from beginning to end of the route changed not once since the marathon was included in structure of the Olympic Games in 1896. During the first seven Olympic Games of the present the distance in kilometers of the marathon running underwent amendments six times (from 40 to 42.75 km). In 1921 IAAF (International association of track and field athletics) established distance of 42.195 km as the official length of the distance.
Running history
Initially length of the marathon distance was theoretically estimated as 34.5 km. This distance from the field where in 490 BC there took place fight at the Marathon, to the city of Athens. According to the legend, hurrying to deliver to Greeks the message about the victory, the soldier by the name of Fidippid, without stopping, ran all this distance, managed to cry out to Athenians the joyful message and fell dead from excessive loading.
Historians don't support this version events as the legend was written down by Plutarch more than in half a century after fight. Herodotus who was born in 6 years after marathon fight Fidippida as the messenger who overcame 230 km for two days, going behind the reinforcement to Sparta mentions. Nevertheless the tradition to run the marathon became stronger not only as the Olympic sport, but also at the level of small local competitions.
Preparation technique
The marathon can't be run suddenly, having just wanted, otherwise there is the risk to repeat legendary death of Fidippid. Prepare for the similar running very long, gradually increasing loading. Before running the full distance, athletes not once or twice train on the semi-marathon (distance in 21 km). The running is focused on endurance, but not on speed therefore it is important to catch the comfortable rhythm and to get used to it. The marathon men's world record is set in 2008 Gebreselassiye's Mouth, the runner from Ethiopia, and makes 2 hours 3 minutes and 59 seconds. The best women's result of the marathon was shown in 2003 by the British sportswoman Paula Redklif: 2 hours 15 minutes and 25 seconds. The organization of the running demands considerable efforts too: height differences have to be no more than one meter on distance kilometer. Optimum air temperature – near +12os degrees (+18os more – it is considered dangerous, at +28os the start is cancelled). Are important also the covering (quality of soil) on which athletes, and area height above sea level run. All this influences the condition of marathoners and their speed.