50 stunning Olympic moments: the epic 1908 marathon – in pictures
Four days prior to the 1908 marathon, a handbill was issued by the Mayor's office in Windsor and delivered to all residents in the district, inviting them to decorate their houses with flags ready for "the great and historical marathon race". Little could they have realised just how great and historic it would bePhotograph: Bob Thomas/Popperfoto/GettyThe race began at the East Terrace of Windsor Castle. Here, John Hayes (number 26) is seen arriving with fellow American runnersPhotograph: Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesThe competitors raced off into the distance, embarking on what thereafter became the regulation marathon distance of 26 miles and 385 yards. The distance comprised exactly 26 miles from Windsor to London and a further 385 yards inside the stadium at White CityPhotograph: PPP
Thousands of people accepted the invite to decorate the street and cheer the competitors onPhotograph: Roger-Viollet/Rex FeaturesFew had ever seen such a feat of endurance before as marathons had only become an athletic pursuit with the creation of the modern Olympic Games in 1896Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty ImagesAn Italian pastry-chef by the name of Dorando Pietri led the fieldPhotograph: Popperfoto/Getty ImagesWith John Hayes of the USA on his tailPhotograph: guardian.co.ukPietri was first into the stadium but collapsed five times before he could reach the finish linePhotograph: Bettmann/CorbisEach time he found the will to get back to his feat and stagger onwards. On one occasion he was so disoriented he began staggering the wrong way around the track and had to be re-directed by the officialsPhotograph: Bettmann/CorbisPietri finally flopped over the finish line - an exhausted, valiant champion - in a time of 2 hours 54 mins 46 secs. It had taken him ten minutes to complete the final 350 metresPhotograph: guardian.co.ukThe Italian was swiftly stretchered away. But his efforts were in vain as the officials subsequently ruled that the assistance he had received on the track meant they had no choice but to disqualify himPhotograph: Topical Press Agency/Getty ImagesInstead, Hayes was crowned the official champion and gold medal winner, having crossed the finish line unaidedPhotograph: Popperfoto/Getty ImagesFollowing the controversy, Pietri was awarded a gilded silver cup by Queen Alexandra in recognition of his effortsPhotograph: PPPHe, of course, became the icon of the Games and went on to defeat Hayes in a number of re-matches in America in the years that followed - proof, if it were needed, that he was the true marathon championPhotograph: Popperfoto/Getty Images
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