A Kosher Marathon!

Mars has announced the return of the much-loved Marathon chocolate bar to British supermarket shelves, and this time, it will be kosher. Originally launched in the UK in 1968 as the Marathon bar, the treat was rebranded to Snickers in 1990, disappointing many fans of the original name.

Now, Mars is tapping into nostalgia with the launch of a special “Marathon Retro Edition.” This limited-time release will be available exclusively at Morrisons stores until December, marking 90 years of Mars producing chocolate in the UK.

“We’re thrilled to bring back the Marathon bar, albeit for a limited time,” said Steve Water, senior brand manager at Mars. “It’s a great way to celebrate over 90 years of Mars making chocolate in the UK.”

The return of the Marathon bar follows a similar move in 2019, when a retro Snickers release sold over four million bars in just 12 weeks. The ingredients of the new version will remain true to the original Snickers recipe, with its signature nougat, peanuts, caramel, and chocolate coating, all while maintaining its KLBD certification.

Marathon first appeared in the KLBD’s Kosher Nosh Guide in 1988, and Snickers has proudly carried the KLBD logo since 2009. Rabbi Elie Schoemann, director of KLBD, expressed his excitement about the relaunch, saying, “The chocolate of many people’s childhood is back! KLBD has certified Mars treats for 15 years, helping to make keeping kosher easier for people across the country. May the revived Marathon bars contribute to a sweet new year for all of us.”

The Snickers bar itself was first made by Mars in 1930 in Chicago, reportedly named after the family’s horse. It made its UK debut in 1968 under the name Marathon, becoming a fan favourite. However, in 1990, Mars rebranded it to align with the American name, as part of a strategy to unify the brand’s identity.