- 1. The Marathon race has surprising origins dating back to ancient Greece. Legend has it that a messenger named Pheidippides ran over 26 miles from the town of Marathon to Athens to announce the Greek victory over the Persians in the Battle of Marathon. Upon delivering the news, he collapsed and died from exhaustion, inspiring the modern-day Marathon race. The first official marathon race was held during the 1896 Olympics in Athens, following the same route as Pheidippides. Today, the Marathon race symbolizes endurance, perseverance, and the human spirit triumphing over adversity.
In which year did the first marathon take place?
A) 1500 AD
B) 490 BC
C) 200 AD
D) 800 BC
- 2. Who did Pheidippides deliver his message to in Athens?
A) The Athenians
B) The Corinthians
C) The Spartans
D) The Persians
- 3. Which modern sporting event was inspired by the marathon legend?
A) Tour de France
B) Wimbledon
C) The Olympic Marathon
D) Super Bowl
- 4. Where is the start and finish of the modern marathon race according to tradition?
A) Sparta to Athens
B) Olympia to Marathon
C) Marathon to Athens
D) Athens to Thebes
- 5. When was the marathon race introduced to the modern Olympic Games?
A) 1920
B) 1900
C) 1896
D) 1950
- 6. Who was the winner of the first Olympic Marathon in 1896?
A) Thomas Burke
B) Paavo Nurmi
C) Spyridon Louis
D) Jesse Owens
- 7. In which year was the marathon officially and permanently set to 26.2 miles by the IAAF?
A) 1921
B) 1954
C) 1936
D) 1948
- 8. Who won the first Boston Marathon in 1897?
A) Billy Mills
B) Kenenisa Bekele
C) John J. McDermott
D) Ethiopians
- 9. Who holds the current men's world record for the marathon?
A) Dennis Kimetto
B) Paula Radcliffe
C) Eliud Kipchoge
D) Haile Gebrselassie
- 10. Who was the winner of the controversial 1908 Olympic marathon?
A) Messegue
B) Johnny Hayes
C) Dorando Pietri
D) Thomas Hicks
- 11. What makes the Boston Marathon significant in the history of the race?
A) Oldest annual marathon in the world
B) No requirement for qualification
C) Shortest marathon course
D) Highest prize money
- 12. When was the first Boston Marathon held?
A) 1897
B) 1920
C) 1950
D) 1900
- 13. Which major city hosts one of the world's largest and most famous annual marathons?
A) New York City
B) Tokyo
C) Sydney
D) Rio de Janeiro
- 14. Who is considered the father of the modern marathon race?
A) Thomas Edison
B) Herbert Asquith
C) Michel Bréal
D) Pierre de Coubertin
- 15. Which city was the host of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896?
A) Paris
B) London
C) Athens
D) Los Angeles
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