The marathon is the king event amongst the long distance runs. It owes its name to the famous battle at Marathon (490 BC), when Athens had to defend themselves against an invasion from the Persians. The army of King Darius was defeated and, according to legend, the brave soldier Pheidippides delivered news of the victory running 40 km to Athens, where, after proclaiming the message “we won”, he dropped dead.
In 2011, with more than 9,000 participants from 59 nations, the TUI Marathon broke all records. This year the greatest running event of the island takes place from 19.10. 2012 -21.10.2012.
Whether faithful to history or just a heroic saga, nobody can tell for sure, but it is certain that people always tried to experience the limitaions of body- and mind. And there is hardly any other sport discipline that requires more in both respects from the runner than long-distance running.
Why is the marathon distance 42.195 km?
Shortly before the start of the first Olympic Games of the modern era (1886 in Athens), excavations at Marathon revived the memory of the old legend and, for the first time, the official “marathon” (only for men) of modern times was organized, with a distance of exactly 40 km. The reason why the runners currently have to complete 42.195 km, is probably the English royal family. In 1908, when the Olympic Games took place in London, the run was supposed to start at Windsor Castle and end in the Olympic Stadium. And since you cannot expect Royals to come 200 yards towards the runners, the race distance was extended, and so it remains until today.
Since the beginning of the last century, the Marathon “virus“ has spread across the whole globe. Almost every large city prides itself of a long city run, the most famous probably being the New York Marathon with unforgettable images of thousands of people running together and crossing Brooklyn Bridge.
Run with the sun – the TUI Marathon in Mallorca
Mallorca also has a lot to offer to ambitious runners. The most popular event here on the island is the TUI Marathon, which in 2012 is going to take place already for the ninth time. Last year, more than 9,000 running enthusiasts from 59 nations got together for the “most beautiful island marathon in the world” in order to compete and celebrate together.
Mountain Run – City Run – Beach run, Mallorca is offering many athletic challenges
The program is varied and interesting not only for professional runners. On Friday, 19 October, a “Walking Day” for Nordic walkers will take place for the first time and, on Saturday at 5pm, kids of ages 2 -12 run in a 600-m circular trail around the cathedral. The marathon itself starts on 21 October at 9 am; participants in the 10-km route through Palma old town start a bit later; and finally, the half-marathon runners take off. We cross our fingers for our colleagues Stephan Hoffmann and John van Eenennaam for the marathon and half-marathon and wish everyone good luck!
Not as popular, but nevertheless interesting are other sport events such as the XII. mountain run in Alaró of 12 km up to the castle on 6.10.2012, or the individual time run of 6 kilometers up the mountain “Santa Magdalena” in Inca on 14.10.2012, or, as a prelude to the TUI Marathon, the 10 km run in Palma “Ciutat de Palma” on 07.10.2012.
Our passionate long distance runner, Stephan Hoffmann, will join these events as well.