Marathon is a tropical island located in the heart of the Florida Keys, approximately 80 miles south of mainland Florida and 50 miles north of Key West. The old Seven Mile Bridge juts into the sea like a giant fishing pier inviting anglers, walkers and nature lovers to enjoy one of Florida’s most scenic and historic vistas.

Located as it is very nearly at the mid-point of the Keys, Marathon justly deserves its appellation of "Heart of the Keys." And a busy heart it is. What began as a tiny fishing village in the early 1800s has become a bustling metropolis replete with shopping malls, a country club, hotels, motels, and restaurants ranging from elegant to express.

Key Vaca, the island on which Marathon sits, probably received its name through a corruption of the original Spanish Cayos de Vaccas, or cow keys. Since there is no record of the four-footed variety of cow being prominent in the area, the name most likely refers to manatees or sea cows. There were probably a large number of these creatures here in the 1700s when Spaniards were exploring the area. Other local keys include Duck Key, Boot Key and Grassy Key.

Marathon itself was once a base camp for Henry Flagler's railroad. In fact, "Flagler's Folly" (the railroad) gave Marathon its name. Record has it that Flagler was getting on in years and worried that he wouldn't see the railroad's completion to Key West. He made a plea to railroad workers to finish in his lifetime. Two years of "marathon" work began to bring the railroad to Key West.

The blue-green panorama of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean, dotted with lobster traps and sailboats, is not unlike the scene that greeted passengers on Henry Flagler's Overseas Railroad, which linked the Keys to mainland Florida from 1912 until 1935.

Marathon at the heart of the Florida Keys is also home to Crane Point Hammock. This 64 acre reserve is some of the most historically and archaeologically-rich land in the Keys. Pre-Columbian artifacts have been discovered here, and the site is home to the Museum of Natural History of The Florida Keys and the Children's Museum.

After Marathon, you will reach the foot of the Seven Mile Bridge which is the gateway to the Lower Keys. Don’t pass up the small island below the bridge. Pigeon Key once housed the workers who built Flaglers' railroad in the early 1900s. Today, you can take a tour of this island and view a snapshot of life in the early 20th century.

After the Seven Mile Bridge, the vast sweep of the Straits of Florida and the Gulf of Mexico can easily be seen from Bahia Honda Bridge. Stop at the state park here and you can experience a beach that is frequently listed as one of the most beautiful in the United States. It’s easy to see why the Keys are recognized as America's Caribbean Islands.

Marathon also is home to the Dolphin Research Center and the Turtle Hospital. Both play important roles in the preservation of indigenous Keys' marine life.

And just south of Marathon, the new Seven Mile Bridge, which runs parallel to its venerable forerunner, is the longest segmental bridge in the world.

Incomparable sunsets, a relaxing atmosphere, and the crystal clear water make marathon key a favorable vacation destination.

The Lower Keys are an oasis in a mad and rushed world. Come visit us.