Today In History: First Boston Marathon

After the resurgence of the marathon as the premier event at the modern Olympics, the city of Boston led the way for another movement, which spread the marathon to non-Olympic athletes. The Boston Marathon became an attraction fir runners and non-runners alike, serving as a key stop for anyone who took the sport seriously.

-- Charles Moore, Apropos of Running, p.105

On April 19th, 1897 the first Boston Marathon was held. John Graham, manager of the U.S. Olympic team and member of the Boston Athletic Association, was inspired by the 1896 Summer Olympic games in Athens to host a marathon whose initial 24.5 mile course would settle on Irvington Oval in Boston to Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland. With fifteen runners, and 10 finishers, Irish American lithographer John J .McDermott of New York City would win the race. 

In 1924 the course would increase to 26.2 miles in accordance with the standards set by the International Olympic Committee, and every year in Boston the marathon would coincide with Patriots' Day, marking the battles of Lexington and Concord between the minutemen and British soldiers during the American Revolution, 1765-1783 --  reminiscent of the ancient Athenians' struggle for independence from the Persian Empire, 499-449 BC. 

While the goal of running a marathon is often positive mental health, well-being, and ultimate physical fitness, preparation requires a significant investment in time and energy -- not to mention a good pair of running shoes. Marathons have  grown massively over the decades, with top runners earning monetary prizes, and lotteries now standard due to the record number of runners signing up to enter. From the granting of the olive branch to thousands of dollars, the history of the marathon has developed and changed its course, though the Boston Marathon, among the world's top six (in addition to Tokyo, Berlin, London, New York, Chicago) remains one of the most coveted races, famed for its age, hills, and chilly weather.

The following articles are drawn from Proquest Historical Newspapers, which informs and inspires classroom teaching and learning.

• Hallahan, J. (1929, Apr 14). No Race in the World Like Boston Marathon. Daily Boston Globe (1928-1960) 
• Abramson, J. P. (1929, Apr 19). 210 Runners to Start in Boston Marathon Today: De Mar, 5 Times Winner in Last 7 Years, Not Expected to Repeat His Triumph. New York Herald Tribune (1926-1962) 
• Strauss, M.  (1957, Apr 21). J.J. Kelley Takes Boston Marathon: Teachers Is First American to Triumph Since 1945.  New York Times (1923-) 
• Robert M. Press. (1977, May 05). Advice From a Marathon Man. The Christian Science Monitor (1908-) 
• Robbins, P. (1980, Apr 20). Dates Back to 1897: Boston Marathon Begins in Hopkinton: Hopkinton Enjoys Its 'Fleeting' Fame. Chicago Tribune (1963-1996) 
• Boswell, T.  (1982, Apr 19). In the Money, Out of Innocence: A last Priceless Boston Marathon: The Boston Marathon: A Question of Values. The Washington Post (1974-) 
• Jeansonne, J. (1983, Apr 17). Americana Gets a Visit: The Centerpiece; A Journey through Americana: The Boston Marathon Route. Newsday (1940-) 
• Apple, G. (1985, Apr 14). Boston Marathon: A Course with Character, Steeped in History, Legend. The Hartford Courant (1923-) 
• Keating, F. (1997, Apr 07). Ancient Rites of the Stars and Stripes: Frank Keating Celebrates a Century of the Boston Marathon, the World's Oldest Jogging Jamboree. The Guardian (1959-2003) 
• Futterman, M. (2009, Apr 20). The Count: Boston Marathon Is a Downhill Battle. Wall Street Journal (1923-) 

Tips:

• Challen, Paul C. (Paul Clarence). Surviving the Boston Marathon Bombing. First edition. New York: Rosen Publishing’s Rosen Central, 2016. e-book
• Clerici, Paul C. Boston Marathon : History by the Mile. Charleston ; History Press, 2014. e-book
• Derderian, Tom. The Boston Marathon : A Celebration of the World’s Premier Race. Commemorative edition. Chicago, Illinois: Triumph Books, 2014. e-book
• Moore, Charles. Apropos of Running : A Memoir. First edition. New York: Petite Ivy Press, 2023. Main Stacks; Call Number forthcoming.

Images:

• Marathon, no. 110. Karlkoski of N.Y., no. 138. Clarence DeMar, N. 156. John Jakela of Toronto, Ont. Winner Henigan, DeMar fifth, Koski, second, circa 1917-1934, Courtesy of Digital Commonwealth, Massachusetts Collections Online.
• Poster Image: Boston Marathon Event Map, Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.