I don't know much about Marathon's so before I speak let me do some
research. I went to Wikipedia and found an article on both the London
Marathon and Marathons in general.
According to the Wikipedia article on the London Marathon:
The London Marathon is a marathon race that has been held each year in
London since 1981, usually in April. While it is run over the traditional
distance of 42.195 km [26 miles and 385 yards], it is not a conventional
marathon. It was intended to be, and has become, a huge sporting festival
and celebration.
Yet the London Olympic Marathon was run in 1908 and according other posters
here and Wikipedia was set at 42.195 km. No mention of 26 miles (41.843 km)
is made as the intended original distance before it was lengthened to pass
the Queen's box. So we can't assume 26 miles was the originally intended
distance. The first (1896) and third (1904) Olympic marathons were 40 km.
The 1900 was 40.26 km, 1906 was 40.26 km, 1912 was 40.2 km, 1920 was 42.75
km (the longest) and all since 1921 have been 42.195 km.
The International Olympic Committee estimates the distance from the Marathon
battlefield to Athens as 34.5 km. To be consistent with the original
distance the marathon should have been 34.5 km. It was most likely rounded
up to 40 km to be consistent with increments of 400 m track events. A 40 km
marathon would be 100 times longer then a 400 m run.
I'm sure the biggest problems of the runners are dehydration, sore body
parts from the intense pounding on the pavement and jabs from runners
closeby pushing their way past. I wonder how many litres (kilograms) of
water one loses during a race. Does anyone know?
Dan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Stephen Humphreys" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
Sent: Sunday, 2005-06-12 12:48
Subject: [USMA:33184] RE: Bright secrets
The London marathon used to be 26 miles but it was extended to just over
26miles so it goes past the monarch. This extension is (I believe) 365
yds. It stuck and that's how it is today. My missus is very involved in
full and half marathons and you really don't want to know what the biggest
issue is with marathon runners and the reasons behind it (think "Paula
Radcliffe").
If you *really* want to know then ask via email as I'm not sure other
readers woul like to hear about it!
From: "Daniel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,"U.S. Metric Association"
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [USMA:33158] RE: Bright secrets
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2005 18:57:12 -0400
In the US the mile has virtually passed away as a running event. It may
pop up here and there, but since the Olympics and schools use metric
distances for track and field events the attention is more towards the
metric distances. There are no yards used at least not in about 20~30
years.
Marathons are neither metric or English. In both systems, the number in
kilometres or miles is not rounded. The exact metric distance is 42.195
km and in miles it is 26.219. Various organizations that hold marathon
events may measure out the course in either metric or English depending on
what their rules or international agreements require. Marathons may be
required to base the distance on metres, but that may be hidden by the
media converting the distances to the audience giving the illusion that
mile units are used behind the scenes.
Others who post here may know for sure about the existence of mile races
and what rules marathon promoters follow.
Dan.
----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Humphreys"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, 2005-06-10 06:59
Subject: [USMA:33158] RE: Bright secrets
No I honestly didn't know that.
Although I admit I'm not a "track and feild" type of person.
In the UK there are many "run a mile" charity things (as well as 5K
runs).
I think that the commonwealth games has a real 'mile' run or muliple
thereof.
Our marathons use 'real' miles too.
From: "Daniel" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,"U.S. Metric Association"
<[email protected]>
Subject: Re: [USMA:33153] RE: Bright secrets
Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2005 06:54:23 -0400
It is informally used in US local sport events. All High School Track
and Field events use increments of 400 m so 1600 m is used instead of
1500 m. Both are sometimes referred to as a metric mile. You've never
heard of this?
Dan
----- Original Message ----- From: "Stephen Humphreys"
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]>
Sent: Friday, 2005-06-10 03:52
Subject: [USMA:33153] RE: Bright secrets
<<we see 1500 m being called a metric mile in sports.>>
I'm not aware of this - which countries and/or sports do this?
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