From Greece to Boston, they're celebrating 2,500 years of marathon runs.Monday's Boston Marathon will help kick off a year of celebration to mark two and a half millennia since the Battle of Marathon that gave birth to the 42.2-kilometer (26.2-mile) race. Historians say the victory by the outnumbered Greeks over the Persians on the Plains of Marathon might have saved democracy.
According to legend, a Greek messenger ran from Marathon to Athens to spread the news of the victory. After arriving, he said, "Rejoice, we conquer." And then he died of exhaustion.
That won't stop more than 26,000 runners from lining up in Hopkinton on Monday for the 114th edition of the Boston Marathon.
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