Reference Terms
from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance road running event of 42.195 km (26 mile 385 yards or 26.21875 miles). The length of a marathon was at first not fixed, since all that was important was that all athletes competed on the same course. The exact length of an Olympic marathon varied depending on the route established for each venue.
For most runners, the marathon is the longest run they have ever attempted. Many coaches believe that the most important element in marathon training is the long run. Usually recreational runners try to reach a maximum of about 20 miles (32.2 km) in their longest weekly run and about 40 miles (64.4 km) a week in total when training for the marathon. More experienced marathoners may run a longer distance, and more miles or kilometres during the week. Greater weekly training mileages can offer greater results in terms of distance and endurance, but also carries a greater risk of training injury. Most male elite marathon runners will have weekly mileages of over 100 miles (160.9 km).
Related Stories
1
2
Health & Medicine News
October 29, 2025
Oct. 28, 2025 — An international team of researchers led by scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, working with 15 collaborators around the world, has conducted the most comprehensive study yet of lifespan differences ...
Oct. 28, 2025 — ETH Zurich scientists have created “MetaGraph,” a revolutionary DNA search engine that functions like Google for genetic data. By compressing global genomic datasets by a factor of 300, it allows researchers to search trillions of DNA and RNA ...
Oct. 28, 2025 — A new study offers reassurance about the safety of certain processed fats found in everyday foods. Interesterified fats made from palm or plant oils didn’t raise cholesterol or cause metabolic harm in healthy adults. The research challenges the ...
Oct. 28, 2025 — Researchers found that COVID-19 mRNA vaccines significantly increased survival in lung and skin cancer patients undergoing immunotherapy. The vaccine appears to prime the immune system in a powerful, nonspecific way, enhancing cancer treatment ...
Oct. 28, 2025 — New research reveals that walking in longer, uninterrupted bouts of 10–15 minutes significantly lowers cardiovascular disease risk—by up to two-thirds compared to shorter strolls. Scientists from the University of Sydney and Universidad Europea ...
Oct. 27, 2025 — Researchers at UC Davis discovered that adding a banana to your smoothie may drastically reduce the absorption of flavanols — powerful compounds linked to heart and brain health. The culprit is polyphenol oxidase (PPO), an enzyme abundant in ...
Oct. 27, 2025 — Generalized anxiety disorder affects millions, often trapping sufferers in cycles of fear and isolation that conventional medications barely relieve. At UCSF, neuroscientist Jennifer Mitchell is testing a pharmaceutical form of LSD called MM120, ...
Oct. 27, 2025 — Groundbreaking research published in The Lancet suggests that most people who believe they’re sensitive to gluten are actually reacting to other factors like FODMAPs or brain-gut dynamics. The study challenges the idea that gluten itself is the ...
Oct. 27, 2025 — King’s College London researchers discovered that parts of our DNA once thought to be “junk” can actually help destroy cancer cells. In some blood cancers, damaged genes trigger chaos in these DNA segments, leaving cancer cells vulnerable. ...
Oct. 27, 2025 — People with both cavities and gum disease were found to have an 86% higher stroke risk than those with healthy mouths. The study followed thousands of adults for two decades, linking poor oral health with major cardiovascular events. Regular dental ...
Oct. 27, 2025 — A team of researchers has developed a floral-scented fungus that tricks mosquitoes into approaching and dying. The fungus emits longifolene, a natural scent that irresistibly draws them in. It’s harmless to humans, inexpensive to produce, and ...
Oct. 26, 2025 — Researchers found that life expectancy growth in wealthy nations has dramatically slowed since 1939. Once driven by major reductions in child mortality, longevity gains are now limited by slower progress in older-age survival. The study suggests no ...
Latest Headlines
updated 12:56 pm ET
Oct. 26, 2025 — GLP-1 drugs, originally developed for diabetes and obesity, may also curb addictive behaviors by acting on reward circuits in the brain. Early trials show reductions in alcohol intake, opioid ...
Oct. 26, 2025 — Researchers have uncovered microbial evidence in the remains of Napoleon’s soldiers from the 1812 Russian retreat. Genetic analysis revealed pathogens behind paratyphoid and relapsing fever, ...
Oct. 26, 2025 — Researchers found that combining regular exercise with omega-3 supplements can make a big difference for oral health. The duo helps the immune system fight off chronic tooth root infections and ...
Oct. 25, 2025 — A new study shows that eating more fruits and vegetables during the day can significantly improve sleep that same night. Researchers found a clear link between diet quality and sleep depth, with ...
Oct. 25, 2025 — Researchers found that neurons can use fat, not just sugar, to power the brain. When a protein called DDHD2 fails, this process breaks down and leads to serious brain problems. Scientists were able ...
Oct. 25, 2025 — Japanese researchers discovered that hair graying and melanoma share a surprising cellular origin. When DNA damage strikes melanocyte stem cells, they may undergo a protective process called ...
Oct. 25, 2025 — Inside your body, an intricate communication network constantly monitors breathing, heart rate, digestion, and immune function — a hidden “sixth ...
Oct. 25, 2025 — Scientists at The University of Texas at Austin have developed a revolutionary gene-editing method using bacterial retrons that can correct multiple disease-causing mutations at once. Unlike ...
Oct. 25, 2025 — Reptiles don’t just pee, they crystallize their waste. Researchers found that snakes and other reptiles form tiny uric acid spheres, a water-saving evolutionary trick. This discovery could ...
Oct. 25, 2025 — Scientists have identified mutations in the CPD gene as a key cause of a rare congenital hearing loss, revealing how disruptions in arginine and ...