Q 01/05

What is the standardized distance of a modern marathon in kilometers?

A) 21.0975 km

B) 42.195 km

C) 50 km

D) 45 km

Answer · why

B) 42.195 km

The odd figure, 26 miles 385 yards, dates to the 1908 Olympics and was only fixed as the standard in 1921. Everything about the Pheidippides legend is...

Q 02/05

Who was the first person to officially break the four-minute mile barrier?

A) Hicham El Guerrouj

B) Jim Ryun

C) Paavo Nurmi

D) Roger Bannister

Answer · why

D) Roger Bannister

He did it on 6 May 1954, paced by Chris Chataway and Chris Brasher, and went on to a career as a neurologist. The record lasted just 46 days.

Q 03/05

The training method known as 'Fartlek' originates from which country?

A) Germany

B) Sweden

C) Finland

D) Norway

Answer · why

B) Sweden

It means 'speed play' and was developed in the late 1930s by Olympian Gösta Holmér, blending steady running with unstructured bursts over varied terra...

Q 04/05

What physiological event is commonly referred to as 'hitting the wall' during a marathon?

A) Running out of stored glycogen

B) Severe cramping in the calf muscles

C) Sudden dehydration

D) Extreme mental fatigue

Answer · why

A) Running out of stored glycogen

Cyclists call it 'the bonk'. It can be staved off by starting with full stores, taking in carbohydrate during the race, or simply easing the pace.

Q 05/05

Which kitchen appliance did Bill Bowerman use to mould the sole of an early Nike running shoe?

A) A waffle iron

B) A pressure cooker

C) A toaster

D) A meat grinder

Answer · why

A) A waffle iron

Bowerman poured urethane into his wife's waffle iron looking for a grippy, lightweight sole; the result became the Waffle Racer. He co-founded Nike wi...