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The first Boston Marathon, America's
first annual race, took place on Patriot's Day April 19th 1897. Fifteen runners participated that day,
while nearly 20,000 runners take part in the race each year today. A
marathon is a human foot race, with each person competing to cover a
distance of 26 miles 385 yards (the Olympic standard). The race starts
in Hopkinton Massachusetts and ends in Boston's historic Back Bay.
The Boston Marathon has great tradition. For 89 years, the winner of
the marathon received a gold and diamond medal. It was not until 1986
that runners received prize money. A laurel wreath, made of leaves
imported from Greece, is placed on the head of the winner in each category
(Men's and Women's Open, Masters, and Wheelchair categories). Other traditions include runners
passing through a somber old burying ground in Hopkinton, a huge pasta party for the runners before the
race to gain carbohydrate fuel, and a beef stew dinner after the race.
A recent tradition is the Kenyan runners visiting local school children
before the race.
The first official female winner of the Boston Marathon was not until 1972.
Wheelchair racing started in 1995. The fastest male runner, Cosmas
Ndeti, completed the race in 1994 at 2:07:15. The fastest female
runner, Uta Pippig, completed the course in 1994 at 2:21:45.
Heartbreak Hill, the infamous hill in Newton that strains the runners, was
given its name in 1936. The defending champion, Johnny Kelly, caught
up to Ellison "Tarzan" Brown on this hill, and believing he would win,
tapped Brown on the behind. The gesture inspired Brown, who eventually
overtook Kelly and won the race. A "heartbreak" for Kelly, and a spirited rivalry indeed.
The race takes place each year on Patriot's Day weekend. Patriot's Day
commemorates the anniversary of Paul
Revere's Ride, and the subsequent Battle of Lexington on April 19th
1775.
The Boston Marathon is sponsored by the Boston Athletic Association. Established in 1887, the association celebrates the positive values gained
by participation in sports. Of obscure interest, remnants of the old "Walkway
of the Running Stars" are still visible on Massachusetts Avenue for fans
of Marathon History and folklore.
Trivia: When did the first true
marathon ever take place?
Answer: At the 1896 Olympics in
Greece. The footrace of the Ancient Olympics was only about 5
kilometers. The modern marathon is named after the Battle of Marathon
that took place in 490 BC.
Contact Information
Web Address:
www.bostonmarathon.org
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