Marathon
WordNet
noun
(1) Any long and arduous undertaking
(2) A battle in 490 BC in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians
(3) A footrace of 26 miles 385 yards
WiktionaryText
Etymology
, a town northeast of Athens. Phidippides the Greek ran the distance from Marathon to Athens to deliver a message regarding the Battle of Marathon. The modern sport of marathon running is based on a run approximately the same distance.