The marathon is an event named after the run of a Greek solider,Pheidippides.
In 1940 B.C.E, Pheidippides ran from Marathon to Athens ( about 26 miles, or 40 kilometers)
To deliver news about the Greek's success in a battle against the Persians. Running trough the mountain and rocky land was extremely difficult. After Pheidippudes arrived in Athens and delivered his news, he fell down and died.