Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston marathon is the most highly touted marathon in the United States. This is because of its history as well as its demanding qualifying time. In the age range of 18-34 men must post a time of 3:10:59, women 3:40:59. These qualifying times can be acquired by running another course within the prescribed time limit. Because of this qualifying time many consider the Boston marathon the people’s Olympic event.
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History Of The Boston Marathon
The Boston marathon began in 1897 after the success of the first marathon of the modern Olympics in 1896. The marathon is now held on Patriots’ Day, which is observed on the third Monday in April. The event is now managed by the Boston Athletic Association. Originally a local race it now attracts competitors from throughout the world. The race used to be a free event with a prize of olive branches awarded to the winner. Now there are cash prizes because of the demand of professional runners who refused to run without cash prizes. 1972 is when women were allowed to officially enter the marathon though there were women who competed and finished the course before then. In 1996 the BAA officially recognized the 1st place women who participated between 1966 and 1972. One notable scandal in the history of the race is the story of Rosie Ruiz, a woman who signed in for the race and then was not reported seen at any checkpoints. The next time she was seen was about a half mile from the finish line where it is said that she jumped from the crowd to take the victory. It is said she acquired her qualifying time for the Boston marathon in New York where she is reported to have been seen on the subway during the race.
Boston Marathon Course
It is said that the Boston marathon has one of the most difficult courses. This is attributed to the hills of Newton, Mass. The course culminates in the one near Boston College known as Heartbreak Hill. This hill is known as such because of its ascent over half a mile in between the 20 and 21 mile marks of the race. This is noted because that is the point of the race where runners will “hit the wall” and become extremely fatigued. Heartbreak Hill’s name actually originates from the 1936 race where defending champion John A. Kelley caught leader Ellison “Tarzan” Brown and gave him a pat on the back. Brown then rallied to take the lead again and went on to win. Thus he broke Kelley’s heart.
