While the London Marathon as we now know it began in 1981, there’s actually a smaller and much older marathon that happened here in London and changed the course of history.
The first ever London marathon, and the first ever 26.2 mile marathon, was in fact the London 1908 Olympic Games Marathon race. This race was A Big Deal for a number of reasons, but the biggest of all was that it established the distance of all marathons for the rest of time. The original route started within the grounds of Windsor Castle and ended—26.2 miles later—in front of the Royal Box at White City Stadium in Shepherd’s Bush.
Before this, marathons were of similar-but-varying distances, but things were standardised after this one (although technically only officially ratified in 1924) – hence the rather peculiar 26.2 mile distance.
During the race in 1908, on a hot July day, Italian Dorando Pietri was famously disqualified despite crossing the line first. He ran the wrong way inside White City Stadium, turned around, and fell not once but five times – but because officials helped him up, he was deemed an unworthy winner by second-placed Johnny Hayes, who appealed the win and eventually took home the gold. Us Brits sympathised with Pietri, and the Queen ended up awarding him a special cup for his extraordinary efforts.
WATCH: the controversial finish to the 1908 Olympic Marathon
A legacy event was subsequently created, which was named the Polytechnic Marathon or ‘the Poly’ after the Polytechnic Harriers; the running club behind the original race. Some of the world’s best marathoners would run the race, with eight world records being set on the course. The Poly changed its route a few times, finishing at Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge for a number of years, and actually only ran the exact same 1908 Olympic route five more times.
The event continues to be the longest running European marathonrunning from 1908 to 1996, when it sadly ended for reasons related to road closure issues and competition from bigger marathons (hello, Actual London Marathon, one of just six World Marathon Majors).
But all of that changed in March this year, when Participation Sport Ltd took it upon themselves to recreate the first ever 26.2 mile marathon, retracing the original course. Aptly named the Original Marathon, the organised run offered the chance to ‘run in the footsteps of legends’ and, in keeping with the actual original marathon, only 75 people were able to take on the challenge.
The great news is London’s oldest, newest marathon will return for 2025taking place on Saturday, March 8. As in the 2024 comeback, organisers have recreated every aspect of the original race: the route, the start time (11:30am), the number of entrants, the finish line location (which is now etched in stone at the new BBC Media Village in White City), and the prizes for completing the race (more on that in a moment).
It’s important to note that is not considered a ‘proper’ race, and the roads will not be closed for the occasion. Runners will set off in groups with pacers to guide them and, once they cross the finish line, will receive a replica 1908 medal and presentation box, as well as a ‘Diploma of Merit’, just like in 1908. What’s more, you’ll be able to see your finish time and position presented alongside the 1908 results – so you can see how you fare against some of the original marathon legends.
You can find more information and apply for a ballot place for the Original Marathon over on the event’s website. The ballot is open now until 23:45 on Monday, September 30. Successful entrants will be notified on October 1, 2024.
