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In 490BC the messenger Philippidès was sent from Marathon to Athens to report about an Athenian victory. He died of exhaustion upon arrivel. When Pierre de Coubertin initiated the modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 the marathon distance was 40km, which is the equivalent of the distance that Philippides ran. At the 1908 London Olympic Games the distance was changed to 42.195km, because the finish line had to be placed in front of the British royal family.

Ethiopian and Kenyan runners have dominated the sport ever since the Ethiopian Abebe Bikila ran barefoot and won the marathon at the 1960 Rome Olympic Games. The current world record of 2:03:59 (Berlin, 2008) is held by the Ethiopian runner Haile Gebrselassie. The female world record holder is Paula Radcliffe from Great Britain who has run 2:15:25 (London, 2003).

As such there is no world record for the marathon distance, since all marathons are different in terms of altitude profiles and temperature. Since the 1896 Athens Olympic Games the fastest marathon time has been decreasing at a steady pace. Improved training methods, nutrition, hydration and running shoes can be attributed to the constant development. The period between 1969 and 1981 was the longest without a reduction in the record time. During the past decade a new world record has been set 6 times. 4 times this has happened at the Berlin marathon. It is considered one of the flattest marathon in the world; unlike Boston with the "heartbreak" hill at the end. For this reason Haile Gebrselassie has said to the news media that he expects all future marathon records to be set in Berlin. Unfortunately Paula Radcliffe has never run the Berlin marathon to my knowledge, because it is in September right between her favorites London and NYC.

Marathon world best progression

Below is a list of selected marathons sorted by date. The five majors are listed first. Then other IAAF Gold and Silver races. Then the marathons of most European capitals. Then those of other large European cities. Then those of other large cities in the world. And finally a few smaller marathons and a few adventure marathons. marathons
month marathon country entry fee first prize participants inception fastest man 2008/2009 fastest woman 2008/2009 record men record women IAAF qualification or guaranteed entry
4 Boston (MA) USA USD150-200 USD150k 25000 1897 02:07:45 Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot Kenya 02:25:21 Dire Tune Ethiopia 02:07:14 Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot Kenya 2006 02:20:43 Margaret Okayo Kenya 2002 Gold 3:11/3:41
4 London Great Britain USD55k 50000 1981 02:05:15 Martin Lel Kenya 02:24:14 Irina Mikitenko Germany 02:05:16 Martin Lel Kenya 2008 02:15:25 Paula Radcliffe Great Britain 2003 Gold 2:45/3:15 if late registration
9 Berlin Germany EUR50k 40000 1974 02:03:59 Haile Gebrselassie Ethiopia 02:19:19 Irina Mikitenko Germany 02:03:59 Haile Gebrselassie Ethiopia 2008 02:19:12 Mizuki Noguchi Japan 2005 Gold Open
10 Chicago (IL) USA USD125k 45000 1977 02:06:25 Evans Cheruiyot Kenya 02:27:17 Lidiya Grigoryeva Russia 02:05:42 Khalid Khannouchi Morocco 1999 02:17:18 Paula Radcliffe Great Britain 2002 Gold Open
11 New York City (NY) USA USD130k 37000 1970 02:08:43 Marílson Gomes dos Santos Brazil 02:23:56 Paula Radcliffe Great Britain 02:07:43 Tesfaye Jifar Ethiopia 2001 02:22:31 Margaret Okayo Kenya 2003 Gold 2:55/3:23
 
1 Xiamen China 33000 2003 02:09:49 Kenei Kiprotich Kenya 02:22:38 Zhang Yingying China 02:08:51 Samuel Muturi Kenya 2009 02:22:38 Zhang Yingying China 2008 Gold
1 Mumbai India USD35k 2004 02:12:20 John Kelai Kenya 02:30:00 Mulu Seboka Ethiopia 02:11:51 Kenneth Mugara Kenya 2009 02:30:04 Mulu Seboka Ethiopia 2008 Gold
1 Osaka Japan 1982 - - - 02:25:10 Mara Yamauchi Great Britain - - - - 02:21:18 Mizuki Noguchi Japan 2003 Silver women only
3 Lake Biwa Mainichi Japan JPY3k 1946 02:08:23 Mubarak Hassan Shami Qatar - - - 02:07:34 Antoni Peña Spain 2001 - - - - Gold 2:30 (men only)
3 Nagoya Japan 1984 - - - 02:25:51 Yurika Nakamura Japan - - - - 02:22:19 Naoko Takahashi Japan 2000 Silver women only
3 Seoul South Korea KRW40k 1931* 02:07:32 Sammy Korir Kenya 02:26:11 Shujing Zhang China Gold
3 Rome Italy EUR32-60 EUR15k 12000 1995 02:09:58 Jonathan Yego Kiptoo Kenya 02:22:53 Galina Bogomolova Russia 02:08:02 Alberico Di Cecco Italy 2005 02:22:53 Galina Bogomolova Russia 2008 Silver
3 Tokyo Japan JPY12k 30000 2007 02:07:23 Victor Rothlin Switzerland 02:35:35 Claudia Dreher Germany 02:07:23 Victor Rothlin Switzerland 2008 02:31:02 Hitomi Niiya Japan 2007 Gold
4 Rotterdam Netherlands 1981 02:05:49 William Kipsang Kenya 02:25:12 Lyubov Morgunova Russia 02:04:27 Duncan Kibet Kenya 2009 02:20:47 Tegla Laroupe Kenya 1998 Silver
4 Paris France 1977 02:06:40 Tsegay Kebede Ethiopia 02:25:33 Martha Komu Kenya 02:06:33 Michael Kosgei Rotich Kenya 2003 02:23:05 Marleen Renders Belgium 2002 Gold
4 Turin Italy 1987 02:10:13 Stephen Kibiwot Kenya 02:29:51 Sicari Vincenza Italy Silver
4 Nagano Japan 02:14:17 Nephat Kinyanjui Kenya 02:26:38 Alevtina Ivanova Russia Silver
4 Vienna Austria 1984 02:07:38 Abel Kirui Kenya 02:26:43 Luminata Talpos Romania 02:07:38 Abel Kirui Kenya 2008 02:23:47 Maura Viceconte Italy 2000 Silver
4 Madrid Spain EUR8k 1978 02:12:42 Chema Martinez Spain 02:36:15 Rael Kiyara Kguriatukei Kenya 02:11:30 Joseph Ngolepus Kenya 2006 02:33:27 Larissa Malikova Russia 2005 Silver
4 Hamburg Germany EUR67.5 1986 02:07:23 David Mandago Kenya 02:24:14 Irina Timofeyeva Russia 02:06:52 Julio Rey Spain 2006 02:24:14 Irina Timofeyeva Russia 2008 Gold
5 Prague Czech Republic EUR55-80 4517 1995 02:11:06 Ken Mburu Mungara Kenya 02:33:10 Nailya Yulamanova Russia 02:08:52 Elijah Lagat Kenya 1998 02:26:33 Maura Viceconte Italy 2001 Silver
5 Ottawa Canada CAD75 4500 02:10:59 David Cheruiyot Kenya 02:28:43 Asmae Leghazoui Morocco 02:10:35 David Cheruiyot Kenya 2007 02:28:43 Asmae Leghazoui Morocco 2008 Silver
9 Toronto Canada CAD65-95 02:29:00 Daniel Mburu Njenga Kenya 02:57:46 Dawn Richardson Bermuda 02:15:17 Damaoui El Mostafa Morocco 2000 02:31:47 Olga Kovpotina Ukraine 2003 Silver
10 Cologne Germany EUR50-80 12628 1997 02:10:03 Sammy Kurgat Kenya 02:29:39 Robe Tola Ethiopia 02:10:03 Sammy Kurgat Kenya 2008 02:27:27 Angelina Kanana Kenya 1997 Silver None
10 Amsterdam Netherlands EUR60 1976 02:07:50 Paul Kirui Kenya 02:25:47 Lydia Cheromei Kenya 02:06:20 Haile Gebrselassie Ethiopia 2005 02:22:19 Gete Wami Ethiopia 2002 Silver
10 Istanbul Turkey USD20-40 USD60k 1979 02:11:16 Kasime Adilo Roba Ethiopia 02:30:17 Nailya Yulamanova Russia 02:10:56 David Emmanuel Cheruiyot Kenya 2007 02:28:21 Madina Biktagirova Russia 2006 Silver
10 Beijing China 1981 02:10:14 Benjiamin Kiptoo Kenya 02:26:47 Xue Bai China 02:07:35 Kodama Taisuke Japan 1986 02:19:39 Sun Yingjie China 2003 Gold
10 Frankfurt Germany 02:07:21 Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot Kenya 02:26:22 Sabrina Mockenhaupt Germany 02:06:14 Gilbert Kipruto Kirwa Kenya 2009 02:25:12 Alevtina Biktimirova Russia 2005 Gold
10 Venice Italy EUR7500 1986 02:11:06 Joseph Lomala Kenya 02:31:24 Aniko Kalovics Hungary 02:08:13 John Komen Kenya 2009 02:27:02 Linah Cheruiyot Kenya 2007 Silver
11 Athens Greece USD4k 3000 1983 02:14:40 Benjamin Kiprotich Korir Kenya 02:33:19 Svetlana Ponomarenko Russia 02:10:55 Stefano Baldini Italy 2004 02:26:20 Mizuki Noguchi Japan 2004 Silver
12 Fukuoka Japan JPY3k 1947 02:06:39 Samuel Wanjiru Kenya - - - 02:06:10 Tsegaye Kebede Ethiopia 2008 - - - - Silver 2:45 (men only)
12 Singapore Singapore 02:13:01 Luke Kibet Kenya 02:34:15 Edith Masai Kenya 02:13:01 Luke Kibet Kenya 2008 02:31:55 Salina Kosgei Kenya 2006 Silver
 
3 Monaco Monaco EUR4500 700 02:12:40 Geoffrey Mutai Kenya 02:41:20 Elena Kozhevnikova Russia
4 Belgrade Serbia EUR5k 222 1988 02:14:03 William Kwambai Kipchumba Kenya 02:46:24 Natalia Chatkina Belarus 02:10:54 02:29:44
4 Zürich Switzerland 02:11:15 Oleg Kulkov Russia 02:32:08 Tedelech Birra Telila Ethiopia
5 Belfast Northern Ireland GBP3k 14000 1982 02:16:31 John Mutai Kenya 02:39:21 Marashet Jumma Ethiopia 02:09:43 Paul Craig 1983 02:41:33 Lemma Urge 2005
5 Riga Latvia 8593 1991 02:16:40 Sammy Kibet Rotich Kenya 03:13:49 Kaja Vals Estonia 02:16:42 S.K.Rotich 2008 02:43:53 A. Dudajeva 1991
5 Luxembourg Luxembourg EUR36-56 8000 02:15:29 Mohamed Msandeki Ikoki Tanzania 02:43:21 Rose Jepkemboi Chesire Kenya
5 Copenhagen Denmark DKK560 15000 1980 02:21:05 Julias Mutai Kenya 02:36:08 Annemette Aagaard Denmark 02:14:16 Svend Erik Kristensen Denmark 1986 02:35:48 Dorte Rasmussen Denmark 1995 Open
5 Stockholm Sweden 18500 1979 02:16:03 Willy Korir Kenya 02:34:14 Isabellah Andersson Sweden 02:11:37 Hugh Jones Great Britain 1983 02:28:24 Grete Waitz Norway 1988
5 Edinburgh Scotland GBP1k 2003 02:31:57 Ian Grime Great Britain 02:54:43 Fiona Matheson Great Britain
8 Nuuk Greenland DKK5k 24 1990 02:38:23 Stig Brahe Sørensen Denmark 03:23:30 Britt Folkerman Denmark
8 Helsinki Finland EUR55-75 EUR3500 6400 1995 02:24:30 Jonstone Chebii Kenya 02:40:46 Margarita Plaksina Russia
8 Reykjavik Iceland EUR17-25 USD2500 3500 1984 02:32:48 David Kirkland Great Britain 03:00:58 Rozalyn Alexander Great Britain
9 Warsaw Poland EUR30-60 1979 02:11:50 Alemayehu Shumye Ethiopia 02:31:20 Magorzata Sobaska Poland 02:11:50 Alemayehu Shumye Ethiopia 2008 02:31:20 Ma?gorzata Soba?ska Poland 2008
9 Tórshavn Faroe Islands DKK400 2003 02:49:54 Andrias Hansen 04:03:26 Fríðunn Steinberg
9 Vilnius Lithuania 2004 02:28:42 Kstutis Janknas Lithuania 02:45:31 Diana Loba?evsk? Lithuania 02:21:15 Richard Rotich Kenya 2007 02:45:31 Diana Loba?evsk? Lithuania 2008
9 Moscow Russia 1981 02:10:48 Yakov Tolstikov Russia 1984 02:33:16 Elena Semenova Russia 1991
10 Bucharest Romania 89 02:15:48 Francis Muendo Maundo Kenya 02:49:49 Valentina Delion
10 Brussels Belgium 1150 02:19:29 Rik Ceulemans Belgium
10 Budapest Hungary 1986 02:24:18 Gergely Rezessy Hungary 02:45:30 Judit Nagy Földigné Hungary
10 Dublin Ireland EUR15k 1980 02:11:06 Ukraine 02:29:55 Russia Russia 2007 Kenya 2003
12 Lisbon Portugal EUR50-70 02:17:40 Sergey Lukin Russia 02:11:37 Zbigniew Nadolski Poland 02:28:02 Brigit Jerschabeck Germany
 
2 Valencia Spain EUR36-60 1981 02:11:29 Philip Manyin 02:32:22
3 Barcelona Spain EUR45-65 7629 02:14:42 Hosea Kosgei Kenya 02:42:12 Mihret Tadesse Ethiopia
4 Utrecht Netherlands 02:11:16 Mariko Kiplagat 2007 02:40:46 Tatiana Perepelkina 2005
4 Naples Italy
10 Essen Germany 1963 02:18:24 Tobias Sauter Germany 02:38:21 Silvia Krull Germany 02:14:36 Werner Grommisch Germany 1987 02:34:18 Melanie Kraus Germany 2004
10 Munich Germany EUR55-65
11 Milan Italy EUR50 2000 02:07:53 Duncan Kibet Kenya 02:27:42 Anna Incerti Italy 02:07:53 Duncan Kibet Kenya 2008 02:24:59 Margaret Okayo Kenya 2002
 
Taipei Taiwan
1 Dubai United Arab Emirates USD80-100 USD250k 02:04:53 Haile Gebrselassie Ethiopia 02:22:42 Birhane Adere Ethiopia
2 Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hong Kong
2 Los Angeles (CA) USA
3 Atlanta (GA) USA USD5k 02:18:50 Oleg Marusin Russia 02:41:12 Alena Vinitskaya Russia
4 St. Louis (MO) USA USD70-100 USD1k 1617 2000 02:24:51 Karl Gilpin 03:07:26 Tara Keller 02:24:51 Karl Gilpin 2008 02:52:38 Christine Ensign 2007
5 Vancouver Canada 02:15:57 Thomas Omwenga Kenya 02:37:52 Mary Akor Nigeria
5 San Diego (CA) USA 02:10:07 Simon Wangai Kenya 02:28:23 Yulia Gromova Russia 02:08:33 Philip Taurus Kenya 1999 02:25:05 Margaret Okayo Kenya 2001
5 São Paulo Brazil 02:17:07 Claudir Rodrigues 02:42:21 Maria Zeferina Rodrigues Baldaia
6 Rio de Janeiro Brazil USD40
7 San Francisco (CA) USA USD85-95 4448 02:31:52 Chad Worthen 02:52:33 Lauren Gustafson
9 Montreal Canada 02:17:07 Lamech Mokono Kenya 02:42:16 Yeshi Esayyas Ethiopia
9 Sydney Australia
10 Nairobi Kenya 2003 02:10:30 Samson Kikwei Tuiyange 02:33:42 Emma Muthoni 02:10:17 Hosea Kiprop Rotich 2006
10 Melbourne Australia 02:17:46 Asnake Befikadu Ethiopia 02:38:46 Mai Tagamai Japan
10 Buenos Aires Argentina 02:21:19 Abdelhakin El Falhi Morocco 02:48:04 Sandra Torres Argentina
10 Casablanca Morocco 02:12:03 Annani Adil Morocco 02:31:44 Kaori Yoschida Japan
11 Shanghai China
11 Bangkok Thailand THB300k
12 Macau Macau 02:15:06 02:36:40
12 Honolulu (HI) USA 25000 1973 02:11:12 Jimmy Muindi Kenya 2004 02:33:07 Lyubov Denisova Russia 2006
 
3 Connemara (Galway) Ireland
6 Cork Ireland
6 Tromsø Norway NOK500-700 02:23:14 Chepno Kiprotich Samwel Kenya
8 Longford Ireland 02:23:22 Sergiu Turea-Ciobanu 02:52:49 Lucy Brennan
9 Hans Christian Andersen (Odense) Denmark
11 Havana Cuba
 
2 Kilimanjaro Tanzania 02:15:37 Jumanne Truway Tanzania 02:48:37 Banuelia Briyiton Tanzania
3 Six Foot Track Australia
4 North Pole 04:02:37 Byeung Sik Ahn South Korea 05:37:14 Cathrine Due Denmark
5 Tianjin Great Wall China 03:18:48 Romualdo Sanchez Garita Mexico
6 Big Five South Africa
6 Inca Trail Peru
6 Olympus Greece
6 LGT Alpin Marathon Liechtenstein 700 2000 03:04:51 Urs Christen 2000 03:30:17 Carolina Reiber
7 Great Tibetan Tibet
7 Swiss Alpine Switzerland
9 Petra Jordan 2009
10 Mt. Everest India
10 Polar Circle Greenland
12 Antarctica Antarctica
 
1 Houston (TX) USA 1972 02:07:52 Deriba Merga Ethiopia 2009 2:24:15 Teyba Erkesso Ethiopia 2009
1 Phoenix (AZ) USA 2004 02:10:33 Kenya 2004
1 Jackson (MS) USA 2008 02:18:53
1 St. Croix (VI) USA 02:44:53 *
1 Orlando (FL) USA 02:20:38
1 Carlsbad (CA) USA 1500 02:19:26
2 New Orleans (LA) USA
2 Birmingham (AL) USA USD2000 02:23:25 David Cheruiyot 02:54:58
3 Washington (DC) USA USD55-100 Cash 2088 2006 02:21:12 Patrick Moulton USA 02:48:41 Jeannette Seckinger USA 02:21:12 Patrick Moulton USA 2009 02:44:57 Katie Blackett USA 2007 *
4 Louisville (KY) USA 02:41:31
5 New Jersey (NJ) USA 1997 02:29:19 Michael Harrison USA 2001 02:51:43 Dorian Meyer USA 2004
5 Cincinatti (OH) USA 1999 02:20:37 02:52:23
5 Fort Collins (CO) USA 2003
5 Mississauga Canada 02:22:16 Predrag Mladenovic 2007 02:51:48 Nathalie Goyer 2007
5 Wilmington (DE) USA 02:40:13
5 Rhode Island (RI) USA USD65-80 02:35:19
5 Burlington (VT) USA 02:19:31
6 Steamboat Springs (CO) USA 500 1982 02:35:42
6 Anchorage (AK) USA 02:22:29 Michael Wisniewski USA 2009
6 Casper (WY) USA 02:49:00
9 Billings (MT) USA 02:52:20
9 Omaha (NE) USA 02:41:23
9 Bismarck (ND) USA 02:33:03
10 Portland (OR) USA 3000 1971
10 Quantico (VA) USA None 18228 1976
10 St. George (UT) USA 7200 1977
10 Boise (ID) USA 1979
10 Columbus (OH) USA USD65 1980
10 Hartford (CT) USA USD3000 1994
10 Indiapolis (IN) USA 1996
10 Des Moines (IA) USA 2002 02:22:57 Simon Sawe USA 2002 02:42:19 Robyn Friedman USA 2006
10 Baltimore (MD) USA 2002 02:11:54 Julius Keter Kenya 2008 02:32:09 Iuliia Arkhipova Kyrgyzstan 2009
10 Scranton (PA) USA USD1500 02:17:40 Jacob Kirwa 1999 02:44:01 Charlene Lyford 1998
10 Detroit (MI) USA USD5000 19326 02:20:22
10 Milwaukee (WI) USA 2750
10 Wichita (KS) USA 02:14:09 1981 02:39:15 1983
10 Bristol (NH) USA
10 South Dakota (SD) USA
10 Minneapolis (MN) USA
10 Portland (ME) USA 02:28:24 03:06:54 02:26:54 2007 02:39:34 2004
10 Grand Rapids (MI) USA
10 Albuquerque (NM) USA
11 Philadelphia (PA) USA USD80-125 USD3500 1954 02:19:57
11 Richmond (VA) USA 1978 02:14:32 Andrei Gordeev Belarus 2005 02:31:25 Irina Suvorova Russia 2000
11 Mountain Home (AR) USA 2004
11 Seattle (WA) USA 02:33:54
11 San Antonio (TX) USA 10000
11 Tulsa (OK) USA
11 Kitty Hawk (NC) USA
11 Mesquite (NV) USA USD1500
11 Overton (NV) USA
12 Dallas (TX) USA 1971 02:12:04 Moses Kororia Kenya 2006 2:29:55 Svetlana Ponomarenko Russia 2006
12 Charleston (WV) USA 1978
12 Folsom (CA) USA 1983 02:10:27 Jerry Lawson USA 1993 02:29:21 Nickey Carroll Australia 1999
12 Memphis (TN) USA USD70-100 USD5000 02:16:48 02:37:10
12 Tucson (AZ) USA
12 Santa Barbara (CA) USA
12 Huntsville (AL) USA
* Seoul - marathon distance since 1964