The Bizarre and Absurd Saga of the 1904 Olympic Marathon

The Olympic Games have always been a stage for both athletic excellence and unexpected moments of sheer absurdity. While the modern Games have become a highly organized and regulated affair, the early 20th century events were marked by a sense of experimentation and a willingness to embrace the unconventional. Perhaps no event exemplifies this more than the infamous marathon race at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, a competition that defied logic and pushed the boundaries of what could be considered a legitimate sporting event.

Uncovering the Bizarre Backstory of the 1904 Olympic Marathon

A Time of Experimentation and Eccentricity

The early 20th century was a period of rapid change and innovation, and the Olympic Games were no exception. As the world's premier sporting event, the Olympics were seen as a platform for showcasing the latest advancements in athletic performance and training. This spirit of experimentation, however, sometimes led to decisions that, in hindsight, seem downright bizarre.

According to Adam Kloppe, a public historian at the Missouri Historical Society, the 1904 St. Louis Games were not nearly as big a deal as the modern Olympics. This relative obscurity allowed for a greater degree of eccentricity and unconventional thinking among the event organizers. "The people who organized the marathon also thought of themselves as scientists and only set up two water stations for the entirety of the Olympic marathon course," Kloppe explained. "Imagine running 20-plus miles in St. Louis August heat and you only get two drinks of water the whole time. Most of the athletes ended up dropping out of the event, quitting in the middle."

A Course Plagued by Chaos and Confusion

The marathon course itself was a testament to the haphazard nature of the 1904 Olympics. The race ran through what is now part of Washington University's main campus, and it was open to regular traffic during the competition. This created a chaotic and dangerous environment for the athletes, who had to contend with dust, vehicles, and general confusion as they attempted to complete the grueling 26.2-mile course.

The conditions were so challenging that at least one competitor, according to Kloppe, was able to hitch a ride to the finish line. "The marathon course ran through what's now part of Washington University's main campus and was open to traffic during the competition. The dust, traffic and overall confusion further complicated the event and allowed at least one competitor to hitch a ride to the finish line."

The Winning Cocktail: Egg Whites, Strychnine, and Brandy

Perhaps the most bizarre aspect of the 1904 Olympic marathon was the treatment of the eventual winner, Thomas Hicks. Kloppe revealed that Hicks' trainers had given him a "mixture of egg whites, strychnine and brandy just to give him some calories so that he'd finish the race." This concoction was intended to provide Hicks with the energy and stimulation needed to complete the grueling event, but it was a risky and potentially dangerous approach.

Kloppe described the situation as "a big mess of an event," highlighting the lengths to which the organizers and trainers were willing to go in order to ensure that the marathon would be completed. The use of such a potent cocktail of substances, including the highly toxic strychnine, underscores the experimental and often reckless nature of the 1904 Olympics.

A Lasting Legacy of Absurdity

The 1904 Olympic marathon has become a legendary example of the bizarre and unconventional moments that have punctuated the history of the Games. From the lack of water stations and the chaotic course to the questionable treatment of the eventual winner, this event stands as a testament to the willingness of early 20th-century organizers to push the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in the world of competitive sports.

While the modern Olympics have become a highly regulated and organized affair, the 1904 St. Louis Games serve as a reminder that even the most prestigious sporting events can be subject to moments of sheer absurdity and experimentation. The legacy of the 1904 Olympic marathon continues to captivate and delight sports fans, offering a glimpse into a bygone era when the pursuit of athletic excellence was sometimes overshadowed by the pursuit of the unconventional and the bizarre.