When was the first Boston Marathon?

When was the first Boston Marathon?

The Boston Marathon — the world's oldest annual marathon — was first run on Patriot's Day, April 19, 1897. It was originally measured at 24.8 mi/40 km, based on the legendary run of the Greek foot soldier Pheidippides from Marathon to Athens. The distance was changed in 1908 to 26 miles, 385 yards (41.8 km, 352 m), when King Edward VII and his queen asked that the Olympic Marathon begin at Windsor Castle, so the royals could view the start. The Boston Marathon takes place annually, on the third Monday in April. It begins in Hopkinton and winds through eight cities and towns, finishing in Boston's Back Bay. John A. Kelley started a record 61 Boston Marathons and finished 58, winning twice. A statue honoring him stands at the foot of "Heartbreak Hill," one of the landmarks along the route.