An historic event returned to the streets of Windsor last weekend as it celebrated the famous route which set the standard distance for marathons over 100 years ago.
Original Marathon VIII replicates the route of the first ever 26.2 mile marathon, created as part of The London 1908 Olympic Games. The route started in the grounds of Windsor Castle, passed through Eton, Slough, Uxbridge, Ruislip, Pinner, Harrow, Wembley and Harlesden, before ending in front of the royal box at London’s, now demolished, White City Stadium.
Known as ‘London’s newest, oldest marathon’, Original Marathon is a replica event of the race which set the global standard marathon distance and became iconic. The 1908 race gained worldwide attention when Italian competitor, Dorando Pietri was disqualified. Pietri entered the stadium in the lead, went the wrong way and fell five times. He crossed the line first but was subsequently disqualified after an appeal from the USA team was upheld, as race officials had helped him to his feet. Sympathy for Pietri led to global outcry and the Queen at the time (Queen Alexandra of Denmark, married to King Edward VII) awarded him a special cup as a sign of respect for his accomplishment. A legacy event, Polytechnic Marathon, was established a year later and the 26.2 mile distance was then ratified in 1921 by the International Amateur Athletic Association and has been the global marathon standard distance ever since.
Co-Founder of Original Marathon, Diccon Loy, said: “In creating Original Marathon, we set out to honour the legends of 1908, share their amazing story and celebrate their legacy. Last year we had only 75 places to replicate the same number of entrants of the 1908 race. Over a century ago, only men were allowed to take part in Olympic marathons but this year, as the event day falls on International Women’s Day, we are doubling the number of places available to represent the women who should have been allowed to take part back in 1908 and all those who weren’t able to until 76 years later. We can’t wait to see our runners follow in the footsteps of legends again this weekend as this event becomes a ‘must do’ for marathon runners around the world.”
In 1908 the feat of completing a marathon was seen as such an accomplishment that the Olympics awarded all finishers a Diploma of Merit. This weekend, Original Marathon VIII finishers will be awarded a replica London 1908 Olympic Games medal, presentation box and Diploma of Merit, exactly like the runners did over a century ago.
For more information on the event visit originalmarathon.com
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