The 1908 London Olympics Lasted an Incredible 187 Days

Added: 2026-05-16

The 1908 London Olympics was the longest Olympic Games in modern history, lasting an impressive 187 days from April to October 1908, in stark contrast to today's tightly scheduled events that typically last just over two weeks. This extended duration was due to the early Olympic Games being spread across several months with competitions held at different times throughout the year. The 1908 Games also introduced several historic firsts, most notably the modern marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards, which became the standard distance used in all subsequent Olympic marathons.