DECEPTION: The Worst Race Ever Run: The Olympic Marathon of 1904

The Olympic Marathon at the 1904 St. Louis Games was supposed to be a showcase of human endurance. Instead, it became one of the strangest, most chaotic sporting events in recorded history. Competitors ran in ninety-degree heat through clouds of dust kicked up by the officials' cars. One runner was chased off course by a dog. Another was unknowingly given strychnine by his coach. The first man to cross the finish line was disqualified. A man who had stopped to eat apples in an orchard nearly won. We unpack the glorious disaster of a race that tells you everything about the early Olympics — and almost nothing about athletic achievement.

Head over to our Crimes Of… YouTube channel to WATCH this episode: https://www.youtube.com/@crimehousestudios

If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Crimes Of… to never miss a case! For Ad-free listening and early access to episodes, subscribe to Crime House+ on Apple Podcasts. Crimes Of… is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios

🎧 Need More to Binge?

Listen to other Crime House Originals Clues, Serial Killers & Murderous Minds, Crime House 24/7, Murder True Crime Stories, and more wherever you get your podcasts!

Follow us on Social

YouTube: @crimehousestudios

Instagram: @Crimehouse

TikTok: @Crimehouse

Facebook: @crimehousestudios

X: @crimehousemedia

Crimes Of… is hosted by Sabrina Deana-Roga and Corinne Vien

Instagram: @sabbertoothtiger | @corinnevien