Getting the Distances Right

Here's a quick primer on some of the standardized race distances. I'm going to ignore the mile and the 1500 meters (sometimes called the metric mile). These are distances most often, but not always, run on a closed track. However, once you begin to talk about street or trail racing the standard distance most often begins at 5 kilometers, usually abbreviated as 5K. Translated to miles, this is 3.1 miles. Of course, this would make a 10K 6.2 miles. Both of these are good starting distances when a runner begins to feel the need to run a "race."

There are obviously infinite increments possible both metrically and in miles, but the next big step up brings one into the realm of endurance racing. The half marathon is 13.1 miles and is always a road race. (At least I know of no half marathons run on quarter mile tracks.)

The longest standard distance challenge is a marathon, 26.2 miles. The original distance comes from Greek mythology. It is said that the Greek soldier Pheidippides, a messenger from the Battle of Marathon (the namesake of the race) fell dead when he completed his "marathon" to Athens. He had been carrying news of the Athenians' victory over Persian forces in Marathon. The marathon race became an official event in the Olympics in 1896, but it was not until 1908 that the distance became codified. Previously, it was approximately 25 miles, the distance from Marathon to Athens. For those interested in the somewhat convoluted story of how the marathon became 26 miles 385 yards, please read the Wikipedia article.

If a marathon is not distance enough for you, there are always the ultra-marathons. Nothing is set in stone here. An ultra (as it is usually abbreviated) is anything beyond 26.2 miles. Nevertheless, the most often organized ultras begin at 50 kilometers (31 miles), with the next challenge being 50 miles.

As for me, my next couple of distance challenges will be the Chicago Marathon in October, a distance of (repeat after me) 26.2 miles. In January 2011 I will run the Big Bend Ultra in Big Bend National Park, a distance of 50K through spectacular wilderness. I've run the Big Bend Ultra before and can attest to its being an unforgettable experience. Registration has just opened. Find more information about this event here.