Marathon Florida
110 miles (176 km) south west of
Miami
With a location mid-way along the Keys, Marathon is
known as the Heart of the Keys and has a population of
approximately 12 000 people. The breathtaking
drive over the Seven Mile Bridge begins at Marathon and
offers a unique vantage point for viewing the magnificent
sweep of the Straits of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico.
While
proudly maintaining its fishing village history, the town has developed
into one of the main destinations for visitors to the Keys.
It is still
a focal point for serious anglers but now also attracts many other
vacationers.
A supporting infrastructure of
airport and accommodation in beach resorts, condominiums, hotels plus restaurants and
a variety of holiday attractions are now all part of the
scenery.
Marathon was a base
camp for
Henry Flagler's railroad. The town got its name, so the story goes,
because Flagler, by then an old man, worried that he would not live to
see the railroad reach Key West.
He
made a plea to the workers to finish it in his lifetime and after a marathon effort over the next 2
years, the track reached Key West.
From its railroad camp
and then fishing village history, the Keys community have successfully
converted Marathon into a world renowned center for
Florida sports fishing.
Fishing enthusiasts travel from all over the world to do battle with the
tarpon, sailfish, dolphin, and bonefish that are found in these waters.
Marathon and nearby Islamorada host several sports fishing tournaments
throughout the year.
Every imaginable
angling activity is catered for, from the local shoreline and waterways,
to charter and party boats carrying anglers to the wrecks and reefs on
trips lasting from hours to days. In
the early summer season, charter boats head out from Marathon carrying
anglers to the Gulf Stream in search of the elusive marlin.
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