How many kilometers are in a marathon?

A marathon measures 26.2 miles, which is equivalent to 42.2 kilometers. Since 1 mile is equal to approximately 1.61 kilometers, converting 26.2 miles to kilometers requires multiplying 26.2 by 1.61.

The first Olympic marathon was hosted at the 1896 Olympics in Athens, Greece, and this marathon's course originally measured 40 kilometers. Several big cities hold annual marathons, including the Boston Marathon, which began in 1897 and originally covered 24.5 miles. In 1908, the length of the marathon was extended for the London Olympics to 26 miles and 385 yards, or 26.2 miles. In 1921, 26.2 miles became the official standard.