The year 2010 marks the 2500th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon, the event which eventually gave birth to the first Olympic Marathon in 1896.   Back in 490BC the Persian Army launched their attack from the Sea. The Athenian forces, vastly outnumbered, met them near the small village of Marathon to the north of Athens. Before the Battle a trained herald named Pheidippides had been sent from Athens to Spart to request the support of the Spartans, renowned for their battle prowess. He ran 240km over rugged terrain in two days but to no avail. The Spartans were in the midst of a religious festival and would not respond until the ceremonies had run their course. Despite these setbacks the Athenians fought and won the battle, sustaining only 192 casualties against 6400 Persian fallen. This battle gave the Athenians a faith in their destiny which was to endure for three centuries, during which time western culture was born. It is said that defeat in this battle could easily have changed the tide of history. Legend has it that Pheidippides, the same brave messenger who had previously run to Sparta and back, then ran 40km from the battle field to Athens, to announce the Greek vicotry, collapsed from exhaustion and died. The first modern Olympic Games were held in Athens in 1896. The French historian and linguist, Michele Breal, proposed re-enacting Pheidippides' legendary run in an event that would test man's powers of endurance and offered a silver trophy for the winner. Baron Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the Modern Olympics, embraced the idea with enthusiasm. The Pheidippides' legend was therefore honoured by a 40km run from Marathon Bridge to the Olympic Stadium in Athens. The first organised marathon on 10 April 1896 was expecially important to all Greeks, who became ecstatic as Spiridon Louis won the final, climactic race of the first modern Olympiad with a time of 2 hours, 58 minutes, 50 seconds. A long distance race called "The Marathon" was born. Marathons have since become a running tradition throughout the world. Yet the annual Marathon in Athens, where it all began, has a tradition and appeal like no other. Thousands of runners from every part of the world gather every year to run in the footsteps of Pheidippides. No matter where you run the Kids Marathon during 2010, you will become part of Marathon history.