[afraidfortherepublic]

Cuban marathoner (and former mailman) Félix Carbajal Photo: Britannica.com

Fred Lorz, Olympic marathoner and practical joker, 1904. Photo: www.morethanthegames.co.uk

[longtermmemmory]

If anyone is intersted,

The marathon is still run from Marathon Greece (the original starting point) following the 2500 year old course to athens.

It is considered a “must do” event for all serious runners.

Just look up “athens marathon” on the net.

[Stosh]

“Heat and humidity soared into the 90s, and the 24.85-mile course—which one fair official called “the most difficult a human being was ever asked to run over”—wound across roads inches deep in dust.”

I thought the marathon was 26.2 miles. Inflation strikes again?

[roostercashews]

I love articles like this. Since everything about the modern Olympics (drinks, clothes, condom sponsorships) seems to be an advertising opportunity, it’s nice to read a “how it used to be” story and get a few giggles out of it as well. Thanks for posting.

[Zionist Conspirator]

Both the 1900 and 1904 Olympics were absolute disasters. The Olympics almost didn't survive. The only reason they did was the 1906 games in Athens which, though recognized at the time, are no longer recognized by by the International Olympic Committee.

This is a disgrace. The 1906 games were run efficiently and were such a success that the Olympic movement was able to survive its previous two disasters to become what they are today. Yet the official Olympic records and museum exclude them.

Since the IOC is one of the most corrupt organizations on earth we can be sure they will never do the right thing. But if they did, they would restore these games to official Olympic recognition.

[Museum Twenty]

re Marathon:

What an incredible event!

Thank you for posting this great article.

[aruanan]

There were seven hills, varying from 100-to-300 feet high, some with brutally long ascents.

Which is worse, a 300 foot hill with a 300 foot ascent or a 300 foot hill with a 4000 foot ascent?

[ADemocratNoMore]

Reminds me a bit of the very early days of the Indy 500, when in 1913 a Frenchman names Jules Goux is reported to have consumed 6 bottles of Champagne during the race, although recently, the PCPolice appear to be trying to minimize the amount of alcohol consumed to 6 pints or even six sips and only at pit stops. I even remember, when I first heard about this that the figure was some really prodigious amount, on the order of 15 or 16 bottles. He won by over 13 minutes. Go figure.

[Billthedrill]

Len Tau, one of the South African participants, was chased a mile off course by wild dogs.

I think I know a way to make the current event much more TV-friendly...

[tet68]

Held in 1904 in St. Louis, the games were tied to that year’s World’s Fair, which celebrated the centennial of the Louisiana Purchase while advancing, as did all such turn-of-the-century expositions, the notion of American imperialism.

Here we have another example of socialist history and from the Smithsonian no less. I grow tired of this creeping cancer. They continue to rewrite our history until we will not know it, certainly our kids don't.

[cookcounty]

hills, varying from 100-to-300 feet high, some with brutally long ascents?

How about a 7,000 foot ascent? In 10 days come on out for the third oldest continuously run marathon in America, the Pikes Peak Marathon. Please bring your own oxygen bottle(s).

http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/course.htm

[cookcounty]

hills varying from 100-to-300 feet high, some with brutally long ascents?

How about a marathon with a 7,000 foot ascent? In 10 days come on out for the third oldest continuously run marathon in America, the Pikes Peak Marathon. Halfway point is at the 14,110 foot summit, then plunge back down for 13 rock-filled miles. Please bring your own oxygen bottle(s).

http://www.pikespeakmarathon.org/course.htm

[marsh2]

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0086713/

The First Olympics (Athens) was one of my favorite movies. Don’t know how true it was, but the team appeared to try and figure out the various sports for training by reviewing ancient illustrations from vases and such.