Running Fence Run - Celebrating Christo & Jeanne-Claude's "Running Fence" - a 24.5-mile fabric fence in Sonoma & Marin Counties installed in September 1976

A 2,516-Year Echo: Marathon to Running Fence​
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On September 12, 490 BC, the Athenians defeated the Persians at the Battle of Marathon. A messenger—Pheidippides—ran from Marathon to Athens to announce the victory.​ His route measured 24.5 miles, the distance of the first Athens Olympic Marathon in 1896. The distance was changed to 26.2 miles for the 1908 London Olympics.​
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In 1976, Christo & Jeanne-Claude’s "Running Fence" stretched 24.5 miles across Sonoma and Marin — the same length as Pheidippides’ legendary run. Christo conceived of the "Running Fence" in October 1972, following American Frank Shorter's graceful marathon victory at the Munich Olympics. The "Running Fence" was controversial requiring years of public debate before installation permits were approved. The Running Fence - Watson School Historic Park memorializes the project.

Runner's World magazine revealed a key running connection: Bob Urie, who supplied fabric for Christo's projects, was both a marathon runner and an organizer of the 1976 New York City Marathon. Despite critical dismissal of the "Running Fence' at the time as being "meaningless", it embodied themes of running and the democratic freedoms that originated in ancient Athens. Christo, having fled Soviet-bloc oppression, characterized his creation as "a scream of freedom."​ More details at RunningFenceRun.org

2026, on September 12, Runners return to the beautiful Sonoma County rural landscape of Running Fence to celebrate: ​

•   The 50th anniversary of Christo & Jeanne-Claude’s "Running Fence"  exhibited in 1976 from September 10th - 21st.​

•   The 2,516th anniversary of the Battle of Marathon  - September 12, 490 BC.​

Choose your distance, 5K, 10K, 1/2 Marathon, or modern 26.2 Mile Marathon, and challenge yourself while supporting great causes.