A Grueling Course
The 1904 Olympic marathon in St. Louis, Missouri, was unlike any other. Held on a hot August day, temperatures soared to nearly 90°F (32°C). The course was a dusty, unpaved path that stretched 24.85 miles, filled with hills and choking clouds of dust.
Unusual Participants
Among the 32 runners, some were ill-prepared for the race. Cuban runner Félix Carbajal arrived in street clothes and cut his pants into shorts. Two men from South Africa, Len Tau and Jan Mashiani, ran barefoot. Tau had to dodge aggressive dogs that chased him off the course.
Controversial Winner
American Fred Lorz initially crossed the finish line but was disqualified when it was discovered he had hitched a ride in a car for 11 miles. Thomas Hicks, the eventual winner, was given a mix of egg whites, brandy, and strychnine—a toxic stimulant—to help him finish, collapsing right after the race.
Unforgettable Ending
Only 14 of the 32 runners completed the race. Despite the chaos, Hicks’s drug-assisted victory stood, making the 1904 marathon one of the most bizarre and controversial races in Olympic history.
Chaos on the Track: The Bizarre 1904 Olympic Marathon 🏃
A Grueling Course
The 1904 Olympic marathon in St. Louis, Missouri, was unlike any other. Held on a hot August day, temperatures soared to nearly 90°F (32°C). The course was a dusty, unpaved path that stretched 24.85… pic.twitter.com/NByXSqbGii— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) October 13, 2024