Fionnuala McCormack, an athlete from Wicklow, will be representing Ireland in the marathon at the forthcoming Olympics. What she will face during the marathon remains an uncertainty, yet it’s assured that she will not encounter events as odd as strychnine or wild dogs seen in the past Olympic marathons.
These unusual incidents were part of the Olympic marathon that took place in St Louis, Missouri, 120 years ago. At that marathon, there was a participant who had to hitch a ride for nearly 700 miles to reach the starting point, and the individual who won didn’t even participate in the race.
Additionally, a participant from Mayo, named Martin Sheridan, also brightened the story. The finest from Bohola, Sheridan is considered Ireland’s top Olympian. In 1904, he attended the St Louis marathon, representing the US in the discus competition. While there, he also played a small part in a large fiasco.
Sheridan came across Félix Carbajal, a postman from Cuba, during the marathon. After losing his small earnings in a game of cards or dice shortly after arriving on a steamship to New Orleans, Carbajal remained determined. He walked and hitchhiked 670 miles to Missouri and reportedly hadn’t eaten for two days upon his arrival.
At the race start, Carbajal was seen in lengthy pants, a white, long-sleeved shirt, long stockings, a beret, and a pair of aged boots – all under a blazing 30-degree Celsius temperature. But, he received assistance from Sheridan, who shortened his pants at the knee to reduce his burden.
Carbajal was an amicable individual that awed everyone he met by happily greeting spectators and starting conversations with them on the pathway. There were even reports he paused to pick apples from an orchard, but this decision led to an ailing stomach and a necessary rest under a tree. Despite these obstacles and numerous detours, Carbajal secured fourth place in the marathon. This achievement led many to question what he could have accomplished had his full focus been on running.
Fred Lorz was initially leading the race when he was plagued by cramps and had to drop out nine miles in. He caught a ride in a passing vehicle within the stadium premises. True to the chaotic energy surrounding the event, the car malfunctioned. While waiting for repairs, Lorz opted to continue the run. He was welcomed with cheers and applause by spectators at the finish line who were oblivious to his 11-mile car journey. His secret was eventually exposed before he could claim the gold medal.
The rightful recipient of the gold medal was Thomas Hicks, supported by his unconventional duo of coaches, Charles Lucas and Hugh McGrath. Instead of water, their approach was to mop his mouth with warm water and feed him small portions of egg whites and strychnine. As the race came to a close, they topped him off with French Brandy provided by a bystander, and they declined the offer of beef tea to prevent unsettling his stomach. Despite their efforts, Hicks had to be assisted across the finish line.
Further down the pack were two South Africans, Len Taunyane and Jan Mashiani who impulsively participated in the race while attending the World Fair in St Louis. They braved the dangerous course barefoot, with Len Taunyane being diverted a mile by a pack of wild dogs but still securing ninth place while Jan Mashiani came in eleventh.
A NYPD officer hailing from Bohola had his name imprinted in history at the St Louis Olympics. Striking gold in discus throwing, he would go on to amass nine Olympic medals, five of which were gold. The New York Times eulogised him as “one of America’s finest athletes… as well as being an extremely liked figure” following his death. His companion Félix Carbajal was reported deceased on two occasions according to the press.
Indeed, after his unforeseen victory in St Louis, the Cuban athlete was set to participate in the 1906 Athens marathon. However, upon reaching a port in Italy, he mysteriously vanished. Given the lengthy absence, he was feared dead, leading the press to publish obituaries in memory of Cuba’s pioneer Olympian. Yet, shockingly, he returned to Havana’s port the subsequent year, seemingly unscathed by his exploits. As expected, he did not hesitate to run home from the port. He maintained this running habit until he breathed his last at the age of 73.