Marathon (Greece)



Marathon (Greek: Μαραθώνας, Marathónas) is a village near the sea in Athens metropolitan area, about 40 km from the center of Athens. The town's name derives from a local fennel herb that grows in the area.

Understand
The Marathon race is named after the town and the length of the course is the distance from Marathon to Athens, allegedly run by Pheidippides to bring news of the Athenian victory over invading Persians in the Battle of Marathon, 490 BCE.