What is the distance of Marathon Race?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, 26 miles 385 yards. The standard marathon is run over exactly 26 miles 385 yards, which is about 42.195 km. The odd 385 yards was added at the 1908 London Olympics (so the race could start below Windsor Castle and finish in front of the royal box), and the International Association of Athletics Federations fixed this as the official marathon distance in 1921.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Too short — this is roughly a half-marathon-and-a-bit, not the full event; the standard marathon is 26 miles 385 yards.  (b) A near-miss trap, one mile short. Early marathons were about 25 miles, but the standardised distance is 26 miles 385 yards.  (d) Only an approximation. The marathon is 42.195 km, so a flat '42 km' drops the last 195 metres; the exact textbook figure is 26 miles 385 yards.

Concept: A marathon is a long-distance foot race of 42.195 km (26 miles 385 yards). The event recalls the legend of a Greek messenger said to have run from the plain of Marathon to Athens to announce a victory over the Persians. Its precise modern length dates from the 1908 London Olympics and was standardised in 1921.

State PCS 2018 Q51 — Current Affairs & Sports PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2018 Q51 — Current Affairs & Sports PYQ with Answer