After he delivered his message of victory , he subsequently perished of exhaustion .
Around the year 490 B.C. , the legendary Greek runner and soldier Pheidippides ran roughly 26 miles from the site of a battle on the Plains of Marathon versus the Persians back to Athens .
After soldier delivered soldier 's message of victory , soldier subsequently perished of exhaustion .
Around the year 490 B.C. , the legendary Greek runner and soldier Pheidippides ran roughly 26 miles from the site of a battle on the Plains of Marathon versus the Persians back to Athens .