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Health
on the go
T
he
rise of social media
has, without a doubt,
con t r i bu t ed t o t he
increasing popularity of
completing a marathon.
Streams of “sel f ies”
posing wi th f inisher
medals are proof that for the majority
of participants, taking to the sport is not
so much about winning a race, but more
about earning bragging rights to living
a healthier lifestyle and possessing a
competitive spirit.
The word “marathon” has its origins in
the ancient Greek fable of Pheidippides,
a soldier who ran from the town of
Marathon to Athens to deliver a message
that the Greeks had defeated the invading
Persian army.
The tragic 490BC Battle of Marathon
story goes that the messenger had
sprinted the entire distance of about 26
miles without stopping and had collapsed
to his death at his destination. The
modern Olympics featured the marathon
in 1896, but the official distance of 26
miles and 385 yards (42.195km) was only
standardised in 1921.
Run, Baby, Run!
Marathon-running has become somewhat of a status
symbol among urban dwellers.
EdwinKoh
gives a
rundown on the popular pastime.