The Surprising Origins of the Marathon Race
- 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) 200 AD
B) 490 BC
C) 800 BC
D) 1500 AD
- 2. Who did Pheidippides deliver his message to in Athens?
A) The Corinthians
B) The Athenians
C) The Spartans
D) The Persians
- 3. Which modern sporting event was inspired by the marathon legend?
A) Super Bowl
B) The Olympic Marathon
C) Wimbledon
D) Tour de France
- 4. Where is the start and finish of the modern marathon race according to tradition?
A) Sparta to Athens
B) Athens to Thebes
C) Marathon to Athens
D) Olympia to Marathon
- 5. When was the marathon race introduced to the modern Olympic Games?
A) 1920
B) 1896
C) 1900
D) 1950
- 6. Who was the winner of the first Olympic Marathon in 1896?
A) Paavo Nurmi
B) Spyridon Louis
C) Thomas Burke
D) Jesse Owens
- 7. In which year was the marathon officially and permanently set to 26.2 miles by the IAAF?
A) 1954
B) 1921
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) Eliud Kipchoge
B) Paula Radcliffe
C) Dennis Kimetto
D) Haile Gebrselassie
- 10. Who was the winner of the controversial 1908 Olympic marathon?
A) Dorando Pietri
B) Thomas Hicks
C) Messegue
D) Johnny Hayes
- 11. What makes the Boston Marathon significant in the history of the race?
A) Oldest annual marathon in the world
B) Highest prize money
C) Shortest marathon course
D) No requirement for qualification
- 12. When was the first Boston Marathon held?
A) 1950
B) 1900
C) 1897
D) 1920
- 13. Which major city hosts one of the world's largest and most famous annual marathons?
A) Tokyo
B) Rio de Janeiro
C) New York City
D) Sydney
- 14. Who is considered the father of the modern marathon race?
A) Herbert Asquith
B) Pierre de Coubertin
C) Michel Bréal
D) Thomas Edison
- 15. Which city was the host of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896?
A) Athens
B) Paris
C) London
D) Los Angeles
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