Quiz of the Day
Marathon & Running
Monday, 20 April 2026
130th Boston Marathon — marathon history, running records, endurance feats
1. What is the official distance of a marathon?
- 26.2 miles (42.195 km)
- 25 miles
- 26 miles
- 30 miles
The extra 0.2 miles was added at the 1908 London Olympics so the race could finish in front of the Royal Box at the stadium. The distance was standardised at 42.195 km in 1921.
2. Which ancient Greek soldier reportedly ran from Marathon to Athens to deliver a victory message?
- Achilles
- Pheidippides
- Leonidas
- Heracles
According to legend, Pheidippides ran about 40 km, announced 'We have won!', and then collapsed and died. Historians debate whether this actually happened — the first account appeared 500 years after the battle.
3. What is the current men's marathon world record (as of 2025)?
- Under 1:55:00
- Under 2:05:00
- Under 2:00:35
- Under 2:10:00
Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya set the record of 2:00:35 at the 2023 Chicago Marathon. The sub-2-hour barrier was broken unofficially by Eliud Kipchoge in 2019 in a specially engineered event.
4. Which marathon is the oldest annual marathon in the world?
- Athens Marathon
- London Marathon
- New York City Marathon
- Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon has been held every year since 1897, inspired by the marathon at the first modern Olympics in 1896. It's the only major marathon that requires qualifying times for most entrants.
5. What does 'hitting the wall' mean in marathon running?
- Running too close to the sidelines
- Reaching a physical barrier on the course
- Sudden extreme fatigue around mile 20
- Running into another runner
Hitting the wall occurs when the body's glycogen stores are depleted, typically around mile 18-20. The brain, which needs glucose to function, can cause hallucinations and confusion in extreme cases.
6. Who was the first woman to officially run the Boston Marathon?
- Bobbi Gibb
- Paula Radcliffe
- Kathrine Switzer
- Joan Benoit
Switzer registered as 'K.V. Switzer' in 1967. Race official Jock Semple tried to physically remove her mid-race, but her boyfriend blocked him. Women weren't officially allowed to enter until 1972.
7. What free, weekly 5K running event takes place in parks around the world every Saturday?
- Run Club
- Parkrun
- Saturday Sprint
- Couch to 5K
Parkrun started in 2004 with just 13 runners in Bushy Park, London. It now operates in over 2,400 locations across 22 countries, with over 9 million registered runners.
8. Which Kenyan runner is widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time?
- Mo Farah
- Kenenisa Bekele
- Eliud Kipchoge
- Haile Gebrselassie
Kipchoge has won 17 of his 19 marathon races, including two Olympic gold medals. In 2019, he ran 1:59:40 in Vienna, becoming the first person to run a marathon in under 2 hours (albeit in non-record conditions).
9. What percentage of marathon runners experience some degree of 'runner's high'?
- About 75%
- About 30%
- About 10%
- About 50%
Runner's high is caused by endocannabinoids (the body's own cannabis-like chemicals) rather than endorphins as was long believed. These molecules cross the blood-brain barrier and create feelings of euphoria.
10. What is an 'ultramarathon'?
- A marathon completed in record time
- A marathon with obstacle courses
- A marathon run in extreme weather
- Any race longer than 42.195 km
Popular ultramarathon distances include 50 km, 100 km, and 100 miles. The Marathon des Sables covers 250 km across the Sahara Desert over six days, with runners carrying their own supplies.
11. Which city hosts the world's largest marathon by number of finishers?
- New York City
- London
- Berlin
- Tokyo
The NYC Marathon regularly sees over 50,000 finishers. The course crosses all five New York boroughs, starting in Staten Island and finishing in Central Park.
12. What did Roger Bannister achieve on May 6, 1954?
- Completed the first ultramarathon
- Won the Olympic marathon
- Set a new 100m sprint record
- Ran the first sub-4-minute mile
Bannister ran 3:59.4 at Oxford's Iffley Road track. Many believed the 4-minute barrier was physically impossible, yet it was broken again just 46 days later. Today, even top high schoolers break it.
13. What should marathon runners do in the days before a race to maximise energy stores?
- Eat high-protein meals only
- Carb-load
- Fast for 24 hours
- Drink extra caffeine
Carb-loading can increase glycogen stores by up to 100%. Runners typically eat 7-10 grams of carbohydrate per kilogram of body weight in the 2-3 days before a race. Pasta dinners the night before are a marathon tradition.
14. Which marathon is known for being one of the fastest courses in the world due to its flat terrain?
- Berlin Marathon
- Boston Marathon
- Chicago Marathon
- London Marathon
Berlin's flat, straight course has produced multiple world records. The course passes through the Brandenburg Gate for a dramatic finish — it's where most recent marathon world records have been set.
15. What is the oldest person to complete a marathon?
- 92 years old
- 85 years old
- 100 years old
- 105 years old
Fauja Singh completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon in 2011 at age 100, finishing in 8 hours 25 minutes. Born in India in 1911, he didn't take up running until age 89.