This year’s Marathon in Greece had a new name: “Athens Marathon. The Authentic.” After all, the race got its name after Athenian warrior Feidippides who fought the Persians and then ran the distance of 42,195 meters (26.2 miles) from Marathon to Athens to tell his people “We Won!” The winner of the 32nd Athens Marathon – the Authentic was Kenyan runner Felix Kandie who also set a new course record, after covering the distance in 2 hours, 10 minutes and 36 seconds. In light of yesterday’s Athens Marathon, let’s take a look at some other great marathons around the world: New York Marathon (November) More than 50,000 runners from across the globe gather in the Big Apple to run in the world’s most celebrated city. Every year in November, the city wears its running shoes and gathers on Verrazano Narrows bridge in Staten Island to run all the way to Central Park. The New York Marathon attracts Olympic winners and runners, Special Olympics runners, people with special abilities and many others who run for charity purposes. It is part of the “World Marathon Majors,” a collaboration of the six biggest marathon races in the world, and every year it determines the best male and female marathon runners. Berlin Marathon (September) In September 2014, the 41st Berlin Marathon saw 40,000 runners running in the streets of the European capital. The level roads and the glorious September weather make the Berlin Marathon ideal for those who want to run the 42-kilometer distance. The particular marathon has seen three world records in the last six years with many athletes outdoing themselves. Big Five Marathon (June) The “Big Five Marathon” of South Africa is considered to be the wildest in the world. Instead of running on city streets, participants have to run on dirt roads, run up and down steep hills, run on sand and in many cases run alongside elephants, rhinoceroses and buffalos. The wild, natural beauty is a great compensation for athletes who choose to participate in this extraordinary marathon. The Great Wall Marathon (May) The Great Wall Marathon is as challenging as its name suggests. It has only started in 1999 and each year it hosts about 2,500 runners. Part of it has athletes run 9,000 steps up, making it one of the world’s hardest. In addition to that, for part of the distance, athletes have to run amidst cars and traffic. The Polar Circle Marathon (October) With temperatures running at -30 degrees Celsius, it is no wonder the Polar Circle Marathon made the Guinness World Record for the coldest marathon run. It takes place in Kangerlussuaq, Greenland, and athletes have to be very well prepared to cover the 42-kilometer distance on ice, wearing special gear. It costs several thousands of dollars to participate and only about 250 runners take the challenge each year. It was inaugurated in 2002 and most participants are hardened athletes. For all marathons around the world, see here.
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