Original Marathon
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The Historical Foundation of the Marathon Distance
The Original Marathon follows the historic route of the first race ever held at the standard 26.2 mile distance. This specific course was established for the 1908 London Olympic Games, running from the grounds of Windsor Castle to the White City Stadium. While modern marathons are standardized at this length, this 1908 event was the first to set the distance of 26 miles and 385 yards, which was later ratified globally in 1921.
The race retraces the steps of the 1908 legends through a path from Windsor to London. It is managed as an open road event. The course holds significant athletic history, as the legacy event that immediately followed the 1908 Olympics, the Polytechnic Marathon, saw eight world records set on this same route before concluding its original run in 1996.
Participants receive several historical recreations upon completing the course. These include:
- 26.2 miles - The full marathon distance following the original Olympic path.
Finishers are awarded a replica of the 1908 Olympic Games medal, which comes in a dedicated presentation box. In addition to the medal, runners receive a "Diploma of Merit," a recreation of the certificate given to participants in the original 1908 race. Finish times and positions are integrated into the historical results records of the event. Official merchandise available for the event includes t-shirts, hoodies, and knotted handkerchiefs, the latter referencing the headwear used by runners during the 1908 Olympic race. Visit the organization's website for the most recent information.
