Inside a Marathon

Abstract

The Olympic Marathon is a symbol of endurance, perseverance and determination for all Western civilization since its inception in the first Olympics of the modern era in 1896. Even without having a standardized distance in the first marathons of history, this particular race was able to perpetuate itself over the years, becoming a benchmark for long distance runners and a market goal for cities willing to conquer tourism generated by these races. Training for marathons is a painful and strenuous challenge, but it brings benefits to the physical and mental health of those who are willing to go the distance with proper training. Despite the risk of injury, the road map leading to a marathon is well known and accessible through numerous specialized sports advisory services. But why is this race still the object of desire for a growing number of amateur athletes?