London salutes 100 years of the Marathon distance – Friday 25th July

Dressed as Dorando Pietri, John Bryant (author of Marathon Makers) accompanied by Steve Seaton (publisher of Runner’s World) set out from Windsor Castle in the blazing sunshine at 11am just after the changing of the guards. The runners set off to complete the original marathon distance of 26 miles 385 years that took place 100 years ago yesterday finishing at what was the original White City Stadium, now the BBC Media Centre.
 
The biggest crowd sporting history had seen to that date lined the route from Windsor to the Great Stadium at the White City on July 24th 1908, to witness a duel in the first London Olympics that made worldwide headlines. On that day the Italian, Dorando Pietri collapsed five times in the final yards, and finished practically unconscious. He was disqualified and the gold medal awarded to his American rival, Johnny Hayes.
 
John Bryant said:  "It was a great pleasure to run in the footsteps of Dorando on the exact day, 24th July, that marked the centenary of the distance – 26 miles 385 yards – that Dorando ran 100 years ago.
 
"That day, in 1908, was the hottest day of the summer, and yesterday the sun was not to be outdone as it came out too to beat down on the course between Windsor Castle and the Shepherd's Bush.
 
"In 1908 the course was on narrow country roads that ran through villages like Uxbridge, Ruislip, and Harrow.  These days, in 2008, the biggest problem is the traffic – you have to cross the M4, the M25 and the A40 – but Dave Bedford, Race Director of the London Marathon, was always on hand to guide me and Steve Seaton (himself dressed as the American, Johnny Hayes) through every twist and turn of the original course.
 
"The finish was strangely moving.  I have written a book on the subject – The Marathon Makers – so I know every corner where great runners of the past dropped out in 1908.  But to complete the course, that Dorando ran 100 years ago, tells all those many millions who run marathons 2008 where the race comes from, the history of the event, and why they should be proud of running marathons today."
 
John Bryant and Steve Seaton, accompanied by David Bedford, arrived at the original finish line outside of the BBC Broadcast Centre at 5pm on the anniversary of the marathon distance greeted by a number of spectators including Deputy Councillor of Hammersmith and Fulham Alex Karmel.
 
David Bedford, Race Director of the Flora London Marathon said he was proud to be part of the Centenary celebrations. “This is a very important moment in the history of the Marathon and I am pleased that the Flora London Marathon was able to be part of the recreation of the event.”

London Marathon