First Boston Marathon run
On April 19 1897 the first Boston Marathon is run in Boston Massachusetts.John J.McDermott of New York ran the 24.5-mile course of the all-male event in a winning time of 25510.The first modern marathon was held at the 1896 Olympics in Athens.
The 24.8-mile course was based on the distance run by Greek soldier Pheidippides from the plains of Marathon to Athens where he carried the news of the Greek armys victory over Persia.Following the inaugural Olympic marathon John Graham the manager for the U.S.s first Olympic marathon squad was inspired to establish the Boston Marathon with assistance from businessman Herbert Holton.The 24.5-mile route started at Metcalfs Mill in Ashland Massachusetts and ended at Bostons Irvington Street Oval near Copley Square.
Fifteen men participated in the inaugural race known at the time as the American Marathon.It was held on April 19 Patriots Day a holiday celebrated in Massachusetts and Maine in honor of the start of the Revolutionary War.In 1969 Patriots Day was officially moved to the third Monday of every April and the Boston Marathon has been run on that day ever since.The Olympic marathon distance was changed at the 1908 games in London after King Edward VII and Queen Alexandria requested that the race start at Winsdor Castle.
The distance between the Olympic stadium and the castle was 26 miles and race organizers added 385 yards around a track so the athletes could finish in front of a royal viewing box.In 1924 the Boston Marathon course was increased to 26 miles 385 yards to comply with Olympic standards and the starting line was switched from Ashland to the town of Hopkinton.In 1970 the Boston Marathon introduced qualifying standards and participants had to submit proof they could run the race within a designated time.In 1972 Nina Kuscsik became the Boston Marathons first female winner following the Amateur Athletics Unions decision the year before to allow women to compete in long-distance road races.
Kuscsik who finished with a time of 31026 was one of eight women who ran the race that year.In 1975 Boston became the first major marathon to include a wheelchair division.In 1986 prize money was awarded to Boston Marathon winners for the first time.
John A.Kelley who ran his first Boston Marathon in 1928 holds the record for most races started (61) and most completed (58).Kelley won Boston in 1935 and 1945 and participated in his last race in 1992 at age 84.Today the Boston Marathon considered one of the worlds most prestigious road races attracts professional and amateur runners from around the world.
The events centennial running on April 15 1986 had 38708 entrants and 35868 finishers.
