Cults & Cons: The Worst Race Ever Run, The 1904 Olympic Marathon

About this episode

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. In today's first Cults and Cons episode, Sabrina Deana-Roga and Corinne Vien unpack the glorious disaster of a race that tells you everything about the early Olympics...and almost nothing about athletic achievement. And for more cases just like this one, be sure to check out the Crime House Original, Crimes Of Reddit. If you’re new here, don’t forget to follow Crime House 24/7 to never miss a case! For ad-free listening and exclusive bonus episodes, subscribe to Crime House+. Join at crimehouseplus.com or if you’re listening on Apple Podcasts, tap “Try Free” at the top of this show’s page. Crime House 24/7 is a Crime House Original Podcast, powered by PAVE Studios. 🎧 Need More to Binge