This is a really funny documentary about a marathon race in England at turn of last century. They actually extended the length of the race (without telling the runners) so that they would have to finish in front of the Queen of England. The winner actually collapsed because of this
The organisers used a different entrance, and the race was to finish in front of the Royal Box. The distance to the box, running counterclockwise, was 586 yards 2 feet. However, someone suggested that the Queen (Alexandra, wife of Edward VII) would have a better view if the race were run clockwise. This shortened the race by about 200 yards.
Rickyrab 3 years ago
(Myself speaking now) The race route, in final form, ran from the private East Terrace of Windsor Castle (in order to keep the public from screwing up the start of the race), over exactly 26 miles, to the Stadium entrance, and then an additional distance to the finish line. The Royal Entrance was proposed at first. But it couldn't be used b/c there was no connection to the track and it was raised to accommodate royals.
Rickyrab 3 years ago
From Wikipedia, article on "Marathon (sport)":
"The route was revised to cross the rough ground of Wormwood Scrubs. This lengthened the route, as did plans to make the start 700 yards from Queen Victoria's statue by Windsor Castle, and it was decided to fix the distance at 26 miles to the stadium, plus a lap of the track (586 yards, 2 feet), using the Royal Entrance as the marathon tunnel, and finishing in front of the Royal Box."
Rickyrab 3 years ago
That being said, I think they were talking about the 1908 Olympics, which set the standard length of a marathon. They were trying to fix the length through London, and the monarchy came into play, as did tram lines and cobblestoned streets (which someone didn't consider to be rugged enough terrain). The original length was supposed to be 25 miles/ 40 km, beginning at Windsor Castle and ending at Olympic Stadium.
Rickyrab 3 years ago
yeah she was about 85
sexyeamo 3 years ago
Um, wasn't the Queen a very old lady in 1900? Queen Victoria died in 1901 at the end of a long reign, didn't she?
Rickyrab 4 years ago