Marathon, Greece

Marathon is a town in Greece, the site of the battle of Marathon in 490 BC, in which the Athenian army defeated the Persians. A legendary run of a messenger named Phidippides from Marathon to Athens after of the battle forms the basis for the modern-day marathon race. When the messenger arrived in Athens , he shouted "NENIKIKAMEN" (we did defeat) and died. Later for mourning Athens soldiers a mound was made. Today there is a park around this mound.

The sophist and official Herodes Atticus was born in Marathon.

In 2004, at the 2004 Summer Olympics Marathon was the starting point for both men and women marathon races.