1908 -- The Olympic marathon in London was memorable for a number of reasons. This was the first time that the universally accepted distance of 26-miles, 385-yards was used. The previous three Olympic marathons had been roughly 25-miles in length, but Britain’s King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra wanted the race to begin at Windsor Castle so the Royal family could view the start. The “odd” distance was finally arrived at when the finish line was placed in front of the Royal box inside Olympic Stadium. 

            The race itself provided one of the more compelling series of events in Olympic history.  South African Charles Hefferon had built a 3-minute lead on the field by 21-miles, but that advantage was cut in half by the 24-mile mark. Still looking like a winner, Hefferon unwisely accepted a glass of Champagne from a supporter, which led to stomach cramps and his eventual undoing. 

            Dorando Pietri, an Italian pastry cook, had passed Hefferon at 25-miles and was the first to enter the stadium. However, he was obviously in trouble and collapsed to the track on a number of occasions, helped to his feet each time by sympathetic officials and spectators. He crossed the finish line in first place, but was rightly disqualifed for the aid he received, giving the gold medal to Irish-born American Johnny Hayes. Hefferon held on to win the silver medal.

            Covering the race for the New York Times was that noted sportswriter, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who also dabbled in novels about some detective named Sherlock Holmes. Sir Arthur wrote, “I think in that great assembly not any man would have wished to see victory torn at the last instant from the plucky little Italian. Thank God he is on his feet again, the little red legs going incoherently, but drumming; hard driven by the supreme will within. There is a groan as he falls again, a cheer as he restaggers to his feet. It is horrible, yet fascinating, this struggle between a set purpose and an utterly exhausted frame”. The man did have a way with words!  (From the NY Times Archives)

            Pietri may have lost the gold medal, but he gained fans all around the world for his effort and the dramatic race led to a widespread boom in marathon racing. The interest was so high in the U.S. that it led to a series of  wildly popular professional indoor marathons, with Pietri and/or Hayes as the star attractions, which were held in NY’s Madison Square Garden.                          

            Johnny Hayes Profile: www.runningpast.com/johnny_hayes.htm

            A Look Back: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2012/feb/29/50-stunning-olympic-moments

            Great Photos: http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/gallery/2012/feb/29/olympics-2012-athletics