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Marathon

Also called: 26.2 miles, full marathon

Definition: The marathon is a road race of 42.195 km, which is 26 miles and 385 yards or 26.219 miles; World Athletics standardised the distance in 1921.

Updated November 3, 2026 · How we check facts

The marathon is the longest standard road-running race. World Athletics gives its length as 26 miles and 385 yards (42.195 kilometers), standardised in 1921. A half marathon is exactly half: 13.1094 miles or 21.0975 km. The number 26.2 miles used in everyday speech is a rounding of 26.21875 miles.

Formula

miles = 42.195 ÷ 1.609344 = 26.21875
finish time = miles × pace per mile

Example

At 10:00 per mile, a marathon takes 26.21875 × 10 = 262.19 minutes, or 4 h 22 min 11 s. At 8:00 per mile it takes 3 h 29 min 45 s. The pace calculator converts these; distances for other races are in how many miles is a 5K.

This entry is educational, not training or medical advice.

Calculate it

Free toolPace CalculatorRunning pace, time and distance, in miles or km.Open →

Guides that explain it

Length and Distance: Inches, Feet, Miles, km and Acres

Related terms

Kilometer (km)The kilometer is a metric unit of length equal to exactly 1,000 meters; one kilometer is 0.6214 international miles, and one mile is exactly 1.609344 km.Mile (mi)The statute mile is a unit of length equal to 5,280 feet or 1,760 yards; NIST lists it as exactly 1,609.344 meters.Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR)The Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Range (AMDR) gives the share of daily calories from carbohydrate, fat and protein linked to adequate nutrients and lower chronic disease risk.Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR)Basal metabolic rate (BMR) is the energy the body uses at complete physical, mental and digestive rest; it is the largest part of daily calorie needs and is usually estimated by formula.Mifflin-St Jeor EquationThe Mifflin-St Jeor equation is a 1990 formula that estimates resting energy expenditure in calories per day from weight, height, age and sex; it is widely used to estimate BMR.Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE)Total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) is the total calories the body burns in a day, combining resting metabolism, the thermic effect of food and all physical activity.

Sources