Why is a marathon called a marathon? Marathon division rules

In recent years, more and more people have started to follow marathons, like them and love them. One of the charms of marathons is the openness of the competition venues. For other sports, as long as they can be used for competitions, they are either on a familiar piece of land or a commonplace circle, but the venues for marathons are mostly selected from urban roads. For the participants, every step and every section is a different scenery. Why is the marathon called a marathon? Let's learn about it together.

Contents of this article

1. Why is marathon called marathon?

2. Marathon zoning rules

3. Who can’t run a marathon?

Why is marathon called marathon?

In 490 BC, Persia attacked Athens, and the Athenians finally won a great victory. The Athenian commander Miltiades was anxious to let the people in Athens know the good news of victory, so he sent the famous sprinter Pheidippides to report the news. Before the war began, this sprinter had been ordered to go to Sparta for help. It is said that he arrived in just two days and two nights for a journey of more than 240 kilometers. The distance to deliver the victory message to Athens this time was not long, only more than 40 kilometers. In order to let his compatriots hear the news of victory faster, he kept speeding up his running. Pheidippides did not get enough rest after delivering the letter from Sparta, and then he went on this long-distance run, which damaged his body. When he ran to Athens, he was out of breath. He only said: We won, and then he fell to the ground and died.

In order to commemorate the victory of this battle and the sprint hero Philippidis, a new competition was created at the first Olympic Games held in Athens in 1896 - the marathon. Athletes started from the marathon and ran along the route Philippidis took that year to Athens, with a total distance of 42 kilometers and 200 meters. Later, this distance was carefully measured and determined to be 42 kilometers and 195 meters. This is the origin of the "marathon race".

Marathon Division Rules

The marathon zoning rules are mainly based on the best results of the corresponding events to divide the assembly areas, and those with scores within a certain range are fairly divided into their respective areas, including opening an elite registration channel for athletes with outstanding results. This is mainly to ensure the fairness and rationality of the competition and allow each athlete to perform to their best ability.

Marathon races are divided into zones. The main zoning rule is that the best results of the corresponding events of any "A1 event" certified by the Chinese Athletics Association that runners can find on the China Marathon website and held within a certain time period are selected as the basis for dividing the assembly area.

The marathon assembly areas are divided into A, B, C, D, and E. Area A is a mixed area for marathon and half marathon events, Area B and Area C are for marathon events, and Area D and Area E are for half marathon events. The division is mainly based on marathon results.

Why Marathon is divided into zones

The purpose of marathon zoning is to achieve fairness and rationality. Currently, the more common and customary way of most marathon events at home and abroad is to open an elite registration channel for runners with outstanding results, while other runners use other channels. This way they can better demonstrate their due level of strength.

Who can't run a marathon?

1. People with poor cardiopulmonary function who feel moderate chest pain when doing light activities.

2. People with hidden heart diseases, such as rheumatic heart disease, congenital heart disease, angina pectoris, myocarditis, etc.

3. Patients with coronary artery disease and severe arrhythmia.

4. Diabetic patients with high or low blood sugar.

5. Patients with hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases.

6. People who are too obese generally refer to those with a BMI of more than 28.

7. People who have suffered serious joint injuries.

8. People who are too old or too young.

9. People who have no sports foundation.