Which marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon?

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon.

The first Boston Marathon took place on 19 April 1897, inspired by the marathon at the 1896 Athens Olympics. It was organized by the Boston Athletic Association and originally covered about 24.5 miles before the international distance became standard.

The race now follows a point-to-point route from Hopkinton to Boston, Massachusetts. Its famous landmarks include Heartbreak Hill, a demanding climb near the end of the course, and the finish on Boylston Street.

Boston is also known for its qualifying standards. Many entrants must record a sufficiently fast certified marathon time in their age and gender category, although charity and other entry routes also exist. The event is part of the Abbott World Marathon Majors and is held on Patriots’ Day in Massachusetts.