How Long Is a Marathon? How Many Miles & Kilometers Is a Marathon
Short answer: A marathon is 26.2 miles (26 miles 385 yards) or 42.195 kilometers.
Why is a marathon 26.2 miles?
The modern marathon distance was fixed after the 1908 London Olympics. The course started at Windsor Castle and finished in front of the royal box at White City Stadium, totaling 26 miles 385 yards. World Athletics later formalized 42.195 km as the global standard.
Pacing examples
- 3 hour marathon pace: about 4:16 min/km (6:52 min/mile).
- 4 hour marathon pace: about 5:41 min/km (9:09 min/mile).
- 5 hour marathon pace: about 7:07 min/km (11:26 min/mile).
See full split tables in our marathon pace chart.
Related questions fully answered
- how long is a marathon — 26.2 miles (42.195 km)
- how many miles is a marathon — 26.2 miles
- how many kilometers is a marathon — 42.195 km
- why is a marathon 26.2 miles — due to 1908 Olympic course, later standardized