Open Question: What is the latest I can eat before a marathon? (4 hours? 2 hours?)?

What is the latest I can eat before a marathon? It is only a 10 miles its its still a large distance for me. Ive heard "eat 4 hours prior" and "eat 2 hours" "1 hour" before etc. It there a standard school of thought as to what it too close to the start of a race? Whats the danger?