Column | Million Dollar Game Marathon

You definitely have to like it: waiting, surrounded, barely able to move, until the starting gun finally rings. For 50.000 runners. And female runners, of course, because the proportion of women in the marathon is constantly increasing. This year in London, for the first time, an equal number of men and women will tackle the traditional distance. It is exactly 42 kilometers and 195 meters, and this strange measurement is, of course, thanks to the English and not to the Greeks, as one might think. In the past, before the 1908 Olympic Games, the distance fluctuated between 40 and 43 kilometers. Then, at those same Games in London, the distance was set at exactly 26,2 miles.

The story, however, is rather obscure, although it is undisputed that the London Marathon back then started at Windsor Castle and finished in the Olympic Stadium in front of the royal box. This may be why the 385 yards were added. There is still no consensus among all historians as to how the distance really came about. Hardly anyone thinks about it these days. It is what it is. What is certain is that in 490 BC, very well-trained runners delivered messages, such as those about the Greek victory over the Persians. From Marathon to Athens. The bearer of the message is said to have run in full armor – which was common practice at the time – and collapsed dead after saying, "We have won." Because he was poorly trained? Never, as science has discovered. The poor guy was just unlucky. First he fought selflessly against the Persians, then it was extremely hot for the time of year, so it was probably simply heatstroke that took him away. After all, it's still a warning today not to take a marathon lightly—even without armor.

Increasing sales figures The marathon course has lost none of its fascination, even though the Olympic finals in Athens in 2004 were held on a less than attractive course, the possible original route. But even on this point, scientists aren't entirely in agreement. An alternative, but much steeper and faster, section is said to have been possible. Nowadays, major cities are vying to organize the biggest, most beautiful, and of course, fastest marathon. The aforementioned limit of 50.000 runners per race is the benchmark. In Germany alone, there were 105.000 so-called "finishers" last year, those who reached the finish line within a certain set time. The market is booming, and the shoe industry is celebrating. 173 million pairs of running shoes crossed the counters of sports shops last year. Worldwide sales amounted to 12,51 billion euros. Even North Korea suddenly wants in on the action.

Marathon legend Kelvin Kiptum. © APA/afp / JUSTIN TALLIS

For the first time in six years, a marathon was organized in Pyongyang. Even Romanians, Moroccans, and Egyptians were allowed to participate. According to official figures, 50.000 spectators were waiting in the stadium for the participants (it is not known who was there voluntarily). The winner, of course, was a North Korean. After all, this was a very slight opening of the country since the total lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic.

Trail is the new trend It's marathon season. London, Boston, and Paris are all on my schedule soon. Thanks to my new shoes, the best runners can now even tackle three races. More than that should be rare, but it's possible, as are other variations of long-distance runners. Ultra-trail races are also very popular and are gaining in terms of participant numbers, which is astonishing considering the effort involved. At the UTMB on Mont Blanc, for example, you cover about 170 kilometers, including 10.000 meters of elevation gain.

In one go, mind you. South Tyroleans seem particularly suited to this. Daniel Pattis, Jens Kramer, Andreas Reiterer, Phillip Ausserhofer, and Daniel Jung have long been among the elite of the trail scene. The mountain run series also spans the globe and naturally opens up further markets for the industry, just as the added value of these major events is constantly reaching new dimensions. You get the impression that the whole world is running, as if you too wanted to run away, run away from all the news that gives the impression in every respect that the world is spiraling towards its end. So it's good to switch off for a few hours, to the rhythm of your legs and your heart. Just breathe deeply. Invigorating and liberating. Whether it's a marathon, a mountain run, or just a walk in the fresh air.

About the author: Sigi Heinrich The award-winning sports journalist (including the winner of the German Television Award, the Bavarian Sports Award, and a nominee for the prestigious Grimme Prize), author, longtime sports editor of the Süddeutsche Zeitung, and commentator for Eurosport since 1989, devotes his weekly column to the full diversity of sports. He also enjoys exploring not-so-unfamiliar territory. Sometimes with a smile, sometimes thoughtfully, or even deliberately provocatively. There should be something for everyone.

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Column | Million Dollar Game Marathon

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