Why was the modern marathon created?
The marathon owes its name to a legend that a Greek messenger ran from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce a victory and then collapsed. Historians doubt the story, since the earliest accounts say only that a runner named Pheidippides ran between Athens and Sparta before the battle. The modern race was created for the first Olympic Games of 1896, when organisers wanted an event that would recall ancient glory. The distance was not fixed until 1921; at the 1908 London Games the course was extended so that the race could begin at Windsor Castle and finish in front of the royal box, producing the odd length of 26 miles 385 yards. The figure became standard thirteen years later.
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Organisers wanted an event recalling ancient glory
- Step 1: It was created for the 1896 Olympics to recall ancient glory.
Answer
Organisers wanted an event recalling ancient glory.
Why not the others: Honouring Pheidippides, finishing at Windsor and replacing a Spartan race are not the stated aim.
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