FIGURE IT OUT: The First Marathon

When we talk about grit, endurance, and pushing through pain, few stories stand taller than that of Pheidippides, the Athenian messenger whose run from Marathon to Athens became the stuff of legend.

In 490 BC, Greece faced an existential threat. The Persian Empire had landed at Marathon, a coastal plain just 26 miles from Athens. Against the odds, the outnumbered Athenians defeated the Persians in a battle that changed the course of history. But victory meant nothing if no one knew about it. Someone had to carry the news back to Athens.

That someone was Pheidippides.

The Run That Changed History

No cushioned running shoes. No gels. No energy drinks. No GPS watches. Just sandals, a tunic, and an unshakable mission: get to Athens and deliver one word—ΝΙΚΗ (Victory).

According to legend, Pheidippides sprinted across the dusty, rugged terrain, his lungs burning, his legs failing, but his will unbroken. When he finally reached Athens, he shouted, “Nike!” (Victory!) before collapsing. His sacrifice secured a place in history, and centuries later, his run would inspire the creation of the modern marathon: 26.2 miles of pure endurance.

The “Figure It Out” Lesson

Pheidippides didn’t have the luxury of hesitation. He didn’t complain about the heat, the distance, or his aching body. He didn’t stop to calculate splits or ask, “What’s in it for me?” He had a problem in front of him and one solution: run.

That’s the essence of the Figure It Out mindset.

• No excuses.

• No shortcuts.

• Just forward motion.

Whether it’s on the battlefield, in business, or in your personal life—there are moments when you can’t wait for the perfect conditions. You can’t outsource the responsibility. You can’t delay. You just have to lace up (or in Pheidippides’ case, tighten the sandals) and figure it out.

From Then to Now

Today, millions of people honor Pheidippides’ run by conquering the marathon distance of 26.2 miles. It’s not just about running—it’s about proving to yourself that you can endure, adapt, and overcome. Every marathoner, whether elite or first-timer, channels that same spirit: the courage to keep moving forward when your body begs you to stop.

Your Marathon Moment

You may never be called to run from Marathon to Athens. But every day, you’re faced with your own tests of endurance—projects at work, struggles at home, or challenges that seem too heavy to carry.

That’s your marathon. That’s your moment to Figure It Out.

And if you’re ready to take it literally? If you’re ready to challenge yourself to 26.2 miles—the same distance that gave birth to the legend—then do it in a way that reminds you of the mindset.

Grab one of our Figure It Out 26.2 shirts. Wear it for training, wear it on race day, and let it remind you: every mile, every hill, every step is a chance to figure it out.