The first modern Olympic marathon took place during the inaugural Olympic Games in Athens, which aimed to rekindle the ancient Olympic traditions. On March 22, 1896, runners from various countries competed in this grueling event that covered a distance of approximately 40 kilometers, inspired by the legend of Pheidippides, who was said to have run from Marathon to Athens to announce victory. Charilaos Vasilakos, a local athlete, emerged as the victor, completing the race in three hours and 18 minutes. Vasilakos's performance drew immense enthusiasm from the Greek crowd, as he represented the host country and brought a sense of redemption and national pride to the Greeks after many years of foreign domination.

While the marathon was a prominent feature of the Games, the event also marked the first time in modern history that an athletic competition of this scale had taken place, featuring participants from across the globe. Vasilakos's victory was not only a personal triumph but also a celebration of Greek heritage, as the country's athletes were once again taking center stage on an international platform. The marathon's unique distance, first formalized at this event, would later influence the standardization of the marathon race in subsequent Olympic Games. Vasilakos’s success paved the way for a continued tradition of marathon running and helped solidify the place of the marathon in both athletics and global culture.

In the years following this landmark event, the marathon would grow into a symbol of endurance and perseverance, drawing countless participants and attention worldwide. The success of the 1896 Athens Games invigorated the Olympic movement, prompting the establishment of the International Olympic Committee and ensuring that the Games would remain a prominent feature of global sport for years to come.