Marathon vs. Race: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A marathon is a specific long-distance running event of 26.2 miles, emphasizing endurance, whereas a race is a general term for any competitive speed contest, which can vary in distance and form.
Key Differences
A marathon is a long-distance running event with a standard distance of 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers), historically inspired by the legend of Pheidippides' run from the Battle of Marathon to Athens. Races, on the other hand, encompass a broader category of competitions that involve speed, not necessarily limited to running and can include various distances and forms, such as swimming, cycling, or car racing.
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Dec 09, 2023
The concept of a marathon is deeply rooted in endurance and stamina, requiring extensive training and physical fitness to complete the set distance. In contrast, races can be short and fast, focusing more on immediate speed and agility, with events like sprints in track and field being prime examples.
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Dec 09, 2023
Marathons often serve as significant events in athletics, with famous examples like the Boston and New York City Marathons drawing international participation. Races cover a wider range of events, from casual local competitions to professional sporting events, each with different rules and objectives.
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Dec 09, 2023
Participation in a marathon is typically seen as a personal challenge and achievement, with a focus on completing the distance rather than just winning. In races, the primary objective is often to finish first or achieve the best time/performance in the given category, making them highly competitive.
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Dec 09, 2023
Marathons require specific preparation, focusing on long-distance running techniques and endurance training. In contrast, training for races depends on the type of race, with sprinters focusing on explosive power and speed, while other races may require different skill sets, like tactical awareness in car racing or stroke efficiency in swimming.
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Dec 09, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Distance
Fixed at 26.2 miles (42.195 kilometers)
Varies, can be short or long
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Dec 09, 2023
Training Requirement
Long-distance endurance training
Varies based on race type
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Dec 09, 2023
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Marathon and Race Definitions
Marathon
In historical context, a marathon refers to the run of a Greek messenger from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens
The origin of the marathon is a legendary tale of ancient Greece.
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Dec 09, 2023
Race
A race is a competition of speed, in running, riding, driving, or sailing
He won the 100-meter race at the track meet.
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Dec 09, 2023
Marathon
A marathon is a long-distance foot race of 26.2 miles
She trained for months to run her first marathon.
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Dec 09, 2023
Race
A race can mean a strong or rapid current flowing through a narrow channel in the sea or a river
The boat struggled against the race of the tide.
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Dec 09, 2023
Marathon
A marathon symbolizes a prolonged or difficult task or activity
Completing this project was a real marathon.
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Dec 09, 2023
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Race
A group of people identified as distinct from other groups because of supposed physical or genetic traits shared by the group. Most biologists and anthropologists do not recognize race as a biologically valid classification, in part because there is more genetic variation within groups than between them.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
A marathon can also mean an event or activity that lasts an unusually long time
They held a movie marathon over the weekend.
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Dec 09, 2023
Race
A group of people united or classified together on the basis of common history, nationality, or geographic distribution
The Celtic race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
A cross-country footrace of 26 miles, 385 yards (42.195 kilometers).
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A usually geographically isolated population of organisms that differs from other populations of the same species in certain heritable traits
An island race of birds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
An event or activity that requires prolonged effort, endurance, or attention.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A distinguishing or characteristic quality, such as the flavor of a wine.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
Any extended or sustained activity.
He had a cleaning marathon the night before his girlfriend came over.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Races A series of such competitions held at a specified time on a regular course
A fan of the dog races.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
To watch or read a large number of instalments of (a film, book, TV series, etc.) in one sitting.
We're going to marathon Star Trek next weekend.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
An extended competition in which participants struggle like runners to be the winner
The presidential race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
Any long and arduous undertaking, straining the endurance of the participants.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
A battle in 490 BC in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
An artificial channel built to transport water and use its energy. Also called raceway.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A groovelike part of a machine in which a moving part slides or rolls.
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
A battle in 490 BC in which the Athenians and their allies defeated the Persians
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Oct 19, 2023
Marathon
A marathon signifies endurance or the ability to sustain an activity over a long period
Writing her thesis was a marathon of mental endurance.
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Dec 09, 2023
Race
Of or relating to forms of popular entertainment made by and largely marketed to African Americans in the early 1900s
Race literature.
Race records.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To move rapidly or at top speed
We raced home. My heart was racing with fear.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To run too rapidly due to decreased resistance or unnecessary provision of fuel
Adjusted the idle to keep the engine from racing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To transport rapidly or at top speed; rush
Raced the injured motorist to the hospital.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To cause (an engine with the gears disengaged, for example) to run swiftly or too swiftly.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A contest between people, animals, vehicles, etc. where the goal is to be the first to reach some objective. Example: Several horses run in a horse race, and the first one to reach the finishing post wins
The race around the park was won by Johnny, who ran faster than the others.
We had a race to see who could finish the book the quickest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Swift progress; rapid motion; an instance of moving or driving at high speed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A fast-moving current of water, such as that which powers a mill wheel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A water channel, esp. one built to lead water to or from a point where it is utilised.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
The bushings of a rolling element bearing which contacts the rolling elements.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A group of sentient beings, particularly people, distinguished by common ancestry, heritage or characteristics:
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A large group of people distinguished from others on the basis of a common heritage compare ethnic group. See Wikipedia's article on historical definitions of race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A large group of people distinguished from others on the basis of common physical characteristics, such as skin color or hair type.
Race was a significant issue during apartheid in South Africa.
The Native Americans colonized the New World in several waves from Asia, and thus they are considered part of the same Mongoloid race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A large group of sentient beings distinguished from others on the basis of a common heritage compare species, subspecies.
A treaty was concluded between the race of elves and the race of men.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A group or category distinguished from others on the basis of shared characteristics or qualities, for example social qualities.
The advent of the Internet has brought about a new race of entrepreneur.
Recent developments in artificial intelligence have brought about a new race of robots that can perform household chores without supervision.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
(biology) A population geographically separated from others of its species that develops significantly different characteristics; a mating group.
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Race
(obsolete) Peculiar flavour, taste, or strength, as of wine; that quality, or assemblage of qualities, which indicates origin or kind, as in wine; hence, characteristic flavour.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
(intransitive) To take part in a race (in the sense of a contest).
The drivers were racing around the track.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
(transitive) To compete against in a race (contest).
I raced him to the car, but he was there first, so he got to ride shotgun.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
(intransitive) To move or drive at high speed; to hurry or speed.
As soon as it was time to go home, he raced for the door.
Her heart was racing as she peered into the dimly lit room.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To assign a race to; to perceive as having a (usually specified) race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To run swiftly; to contend in a race; as, the animals raced over the ground; the ships raced from port to port.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To run too fast at times, as a marine engine or screw, when the screw is lifted out of water by the action of a heavy sea.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To cause to contend in a race; to drive at high speed; as, to race horses.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
The descendants of a common ancestor; a family, tribe, people, or nation, believed or presumed to belong to the same stock; a lineage; a breed.
The whole race of mankind.
Whence the long race of Alban fathers come.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Company; herd; breed.
For do but note a wild and wanton herd,Or race of youthful and unhandled colts,Fetching mad bounds.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Peculiar flavor, taste, or strength, as of wine; that quality, or assemblage of qualities, which indicates origin or kind, as in wine; hence, characteristic flavor; smack.
Is it [the wine] of the right race ?
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Hence, characteristic quality or disposition.
And now I give my sensual race the rein.
Some . . . great race of fancy or judgment.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Esp., swift progress; rapid course; a running.
The flight of many birds is swifter than the race of any beasts.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Hence: The act or process of running in competition; a contest of speed in any way, as in running, riding, driving, skating, rowing, sailing; in the plural, usually, a meeting for contests in the running of horses; as, he attended the races.
The race is not to the swift.
I wield the gauntlet, and I run the race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Competitive action of any kind, especially when prolonged; hence, career; course of life.
My race of glory run, and race of shame.
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Race
A strong or rapid current of water, or the channel or passage for such a current; a powerful current or heavy sea, sometimes produced by the meeting of two tides; as, the Portland Race; the Race of Alderney.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
The current of water that turns a water wheel, or the channel in which it flows; a mill race.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
A channel or guide along which a shuttle is driven back and forth, as in a loom, sewing machine, etc.
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
People who are believed to belong to the same genetic stock;
Some biologists doubt that there are important genetic differences between races of human beings
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
(biology) a taxonomic group that is a division of a species; usually arises as a consequence of geographical isolation within a species
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Step on it;
He rushed down the hall to receive his guests
The cars raced down the street
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
Compete in a race;
He is running the Marathon this year
Let's race and see who gets there first
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Oct 19, 2023
Race
To work as fast as possible towards a goal, sometimes in competition with others;
We are racing to find a cure for AIDS
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Race
Cause to move fast or to rush or race;
The psychologist raced the rats through a long maze
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Race
In biology, a race refers to a population within a species that is distinct in some way
The scientists studied a rare race of butterflies.
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Dec 09, 2023
Race
A race can be a rapid or swift journey or course
The ambulance made a race to the hospital.
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Dec 09, 2023
Race
A race can also mean a contest of speed in various other activities
The race to develop a vaccine was intense.
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Dec 09, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are all running events marathons?
No, running events vary in distance; marathons are specifically 26.2 miles.
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Dec 09, 2023
What is a marathon?
A marathon is a long-distance running event covering 26.2 miles.
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Dec 09, 2023
What is a race?
A race is a competition involving speed, either in running, driving, or any other form of movement.
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Dec 09, 2023
Are races always competitive?
Races typically involve competition, but some may be for fun or personal challenge.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can races involve vehicles?
Yes, races can involve cars, boats, bikes, etc.
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Dec 09, 2023
How are races timed?
Races are timed using clocks, stopwatches, or electronic timing systems.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is a marathon always 26.2 miles?
Yes, the standard marathon distance is 26.2 miles.
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Dec 09, 2023
Do marathons have age limits?
Most marathons require participants to be 18 or older.
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Dec 09, 2023
Is race a term in biology?
Yes, in biology, a race refers to a distinct population within a species.
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Dec 09, 2023
What's the fastest marathon time?
As of 2023, Eliud Kipchoge holds the record at 2:01:39.
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Dec 09, 2023
How long has the marathon been around?
The marathon has been a modern Olympic event since 1896, inspired by ancient Greek history.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can marathons be run for charity?
Yes, many runners participate in marathons to raise money for charities.
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Dec 09, 2023
What's the shortest race?
The shortest standard track race is the 60 meters.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can children participate in marathons?
Marathons are usually for adults due to their physical demands, but some events have shorter distances for children.
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Dec 09, 2023
How do you prepare for a race?
Preparation depends on the type of race, but generally involves training for speed and agility.
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Dec 09, 2023
Are all races run on tracks?
No, races can be held on various terrains, including roads, trails, or water.
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Dec 09, 2023
Do you need special training for a marathon?
Yes, marathons require extensive training in endurance and stamina.
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Dec 09, 2023
Are there different types of races?
Yes, there are many types, including sprints, relays, and obstacle races.
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Dec 09, 2023
Can marathons be run indoors?
While unusual, some indoor marathons exist on specialized tracks.
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Dec 09, 2023
What's a relay race?
A relay race is a track event where each team member runs a portion of the total distance, passing a baton to the next runner.
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Dec 09, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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