Marathon History

Name:

Date:

Instructions: How much do you know about the history and legends of marathon running?

1.
The marathon race commemorates the legendary run from Marathon to which ancient Greek city?
A
Sparta
B
Thebes
C
Athens
D
Corinth
2.
What is the official distance of a modern marathon?
A
27 miles (43.452 km)
B
26 miles
C
25 miles (40.234 km)
D
26.2 miles (42.195 km)
3.
Why was the marathon distance set at 26 miles 385 yards at the 1908 London Olympics?
A
It was the distance from Marathon to Athens
B
It was a metric conversion error
C
It matched an ancient Greek measurement
D
So the race could finish in front of the Royal Box
4.
Who was the first person to run a marathon in under two hours in an unofficial event?
A
Haile Gebrselassie
B
Dennis Kimetto
C
Eliud Kipchoge
D
Kenenisa Bekele
5.
Which marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world?
A
New York City Marathon
B
Boston Marathon
C
London Marathon
D
Berlin Marathon
6.
Who won the 1960 Olympic marathon while running barefoot?
A
Abebe Bikila
B
Emil Zatopek
C
Mamo Wolde
D
Frank Shorter
7.
What are the six World Marathon Majors?
A
Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Rome, New York
B
Tokyo, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York
C
Paris, Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, New York
D
Tokyo, Boston, London, Munich, Chicago, New York
8.
Kathrine Switzer became famous for being the first woman to officially enter which marathon in 1967?
A
Chicago Marathon
B
Boston Marathon
C
New York City Marathon
D
London Marathon
9.
Which Czech runner won the Olympic marathon, 5,000m, and 10,000m all at the 1952 Helsinki Games?
A
Lasse Viren
B
Ron Clarke
C
Vladimir Kuts
D
Emil Zatopek
10.
What is 'hitting the wall' in marathon running?
A
The final stretch of the race
B
Running into a physical barrier
C
Sudden onset of fatigue when glycogen is depleted
D
Being passed by all other runners
11.
Which Italian collapsed on the track during the 1908 Olympic marathon and was disqualified for receiving assistance?
A
Robert Fowler
B
Johnny Hayes
C
Dorando Pietri
D
Spiridon Louis
12.
Which country has produced the most Olympic marathon gold medalists?
A
Kenya
B
Japan
C
United States
D
Ethiopia
13.
What qualifying time must a male runner achieve to enter the Boston Marathon (ages 18-34)?
A
Under 3:00:00
B
Under 3:30:00
C
Under 2:30:00
D
Under 4:00:00
14.
Who won the first Olympic marathon at the 1896 Athens Games?
A
Dorando Pietri
B
Edwin Flack
C
Arthur Blake
D
Spiridon Louis
15.
What is an ultramarathon?
A
Any race longer than the standard marathon distance
B
A marathon run at high altitude
C
A marathon with obstacles
D
A marathon run at maximum speed

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