St. Louis Marathon: The Most Bizarre Race in Olympic History

The 1904 St. Louis Marathon stands out as one of the most absurd events in Olympic history, encompassing a series of bizarre occurrences that have etched it into the annals of sporting lore. This marathon, held in conjunction with the St. Louis World’s Fair, was far from a conventional race. The setting was unconventional, lacking the grandeur of previous Olympic Games, with a field of runners comprising a mix of experienced athletes and novices, including some with little marathon experience.

The race, spanning 24.85 miles under scorching conditions on an unpaved course, saw only 14 out of 32 participants complete the grueling challenge, marking the lowest number of finishers in Olympic history. Fred Lorz, initially declared the winner, was later exposed for cheating by hitching a ride for a significant portion of the race before crossing the finish line. Another contestant, Félix Carvajal from Cuba, took an unscheduled break to eat rotten apples, leading to stomach cramps that did not deter him from finishing fourth.

The eventual victor, Thomas Hicks of the USA, endured a torturous journey to the finish line, aided by his trainers who pushed him through the last miles of the race as he hallucinated about the remaining distance. Hicks’s win, achieved in a record slow time, encapsulated the sheer absurdity of the event.

The fallout from the St. Louis Marathon was significant. The controversy surrounding the race almost led to its exclusion from future Olympic programs. Fred Lorz faced a lifetime ban for his deceptive tactics, which was later lifted, allowing him to claim victory in the Boston Marathon. Carvajal’s post-race adventures, including a mysterious disappearance, added to the marathon’s mystique. Hicks continued his running career before eventually settling in Canada, marking the end of an era for these eccentric marathoners.

In conclusion, the 1904 St. Louis Marathon remains a testament to the unpredictable and outlandish nature of sporting events, serving as a reminder of the extraordinary feats and follies that can unfold in the world of athletics. The peculiarities of this race have secured its place as one of the most bizarre episodes in Olympic history, ensuring that its legacy endures as a captivating tale of human endurance and eccentricity in the realm of competitive sports.