| During the 490's BC, the Athenians were having a war with the Persians. Athens was out-numbered, having around 9000 men against the gigantic Persian army. So the Athenians sent out their fastest runner, Phidippides, to go and ask Sparta for help. It was 140 miles to Sparta from Marathon. Phidippides ran for two days and two nights to ask for assistance, but Sparta was having a festival and wouldn't help. When Phidippides got back to Marathon, the Athenians had won! Phidippides then ran to Athens, 22 miles away to share the good news. All he got out was "We have won!" and he collapsed and died of exhaustion. Today, a 26.2 mile foot-race is called a marathon. |  |
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