Marathon is both history, the Athenian army did defeat the Persian army at Marathon (490 BC), a small settlement north of Athens and legend which tells us that an Athenian soldier,Pheidippides then ran the 26 miles back to Athens to announce the victory. “We have won” he  decared and dropped dead from exhaustion. Whether the legend is true  or not, it does give us the Marathon Runs we organize today.

The god, Pan, was said to have helped the Greeks.He had the power to instill an irrational blind fear in their enemy (Panic). To quote the 19th century poet, Robert Browning:” So when Persia was dust all cried ‘To Acropolis! Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due! Athens is saved, thank Pan, go shout!” He flung down his shield Ran like fire once more.....”