The 1904 Olympic marathon in St. Louis, Missouri, is recorded as one of the most chaotic sporting events in history. Out of 32 starters, only 14 athletes completed the 24.85-mile course, which was characterized by extreme heat, humidity, and poor infrastructure. The race was marked by incidents involving animal interference, accidental cheatingy, and the administration of strychnine, a substance now known as rat poison, to a winning athlete.
Who won the 1904 Olympic Marathon?
The official gold medal was awarded to American runner Thomas Hicks, who finished the race in three hours, 28 minutes, and 53 seconds—the slowest record in Olympic history. However, the victory was far from conventional. Frederick Lorz, another American, crossed the finish line first but was disqualified after it was discovered he had used a car for a significant portion of the race.
Hicks’ victory was achieved through an unconventional and dangerous pharmaceutical intervention. As his energy flagged at the 17th mile, his trainers gave him a mixture of strychnine sulphate and egg whites. When he subsequentally own struggle, they administered a second dose of strychnine, along with more egg whites and brandy. This early experiment in athletic optimization sought to provide a “revved-up” sensation, which 19th-century medicine mistakenly identified as restored vitality.
The Role of Strychnine in Early Athletics
James E. Sullivan, the director of the 1904 Games, Director of the 1904 Olympics, believed that pharmaceutical help could enhance biological abilities. At the time, strychnine was marketed as a tonic for fatigue, as explained by Vincent Lee, an assistant professor of emergency medicine, who notes that in small doses, the substance produces a stimulatory effect on the nerves.
The use of such substances was not banned at the time, the Olympics had not yet established anti-doping regulations. This made the marathon a testing ground for experimental treatments. However, the physical toll on Hicks was severe. By the time he reached the finish line, he was in such agony that he had to be physically supported by his trainers to cross the line, subsequently collapsing in a heap.
What happened during the 1904 Olympics?
The race was plagued by a multitude of unusual events that contributed to its overall dysfunction. The course was hilly and dusty, and the course was characterized by extreme conditions. Other notable incidents included:
- Len Taunyane, one of the first Black athletes to compete, was chased nearly a mile off course by aggressive dogs.
- Felix Carvajal, a Cuban postman, stopped in an apple orchard for a nap and a snack, running the race in street clothes after losing his athletic gear in a dice game.
- Frederick Lorz, a bricklayer, abandoned the race at mile nine and took a car ride up to the 19th mile, before jogging the final stretch to the finish line.
The Danger of Strychnine and the Shift to Anti-Doping
The toxicity of strychnine is well-documented. A few grains (50 to 100 milligrams) can be fatal to an adult within 30 minutes. According to research on how poisonous strychnine is, the substance causes violent muscle contractions and respiratory failure due to the diaphragm and chest muscles locking up.
Even at low doses, the poison can cause muscle stiffness, spasms, and a fixed grin-like expression known as risus sardonicus. The toxic doses of the substance lead to extreme overheating and muscle breakdown, which contributed to the severe distress Hicks experienced during the race.
Who came up with 26.2 miles for a marathon?
While the 1904 race was 24.85 miles, the 26.2-mile distance became the global standard in 1921. This standardization occurred after the 1908 London Olympics, where the course was set to accommodate the British royal family’s viewing area, which established a precedent for the distance.
The Evolution of Olympic Regulations
The 1904 St. Louis marathon was described by its own director, James Sullivan, as “indefensible.” The chaos of the race resulted in a significant shift in Olympic organization. By the 1908 London Games, organizers introduced the first anti-doping regulations in sports, effectively banning the same types of substances that were used to help Hicks win.
The rest of the current Olympic marathon distance is now supported by by a comprehensive system of hydration stations. In 1904, Sullivan had also been experimenting with dehydration, and only one official hydration station was provided. This lack of water caused many competitors to drop out of the race, which contributed to Hicks’ record-setting slow time.
Modern athletics now includes a list of banned substances, including steroids, growth hormones, and stimulants. However, cases of occasional use persist. For example, in 1992, a Chinese volleyball player tested positive for the substance, despite the fact that strychnine does not improve endurance or build muscle, but rather makes nerves hyperexcitable.
For more historical context, you can view the original photographs of the original race in the Public Domain, showing the runners in the 1904 marathon, and portraits of Thomas Hicks and his attendants in the Public Domain.
