July 13, 1924 - 48% DNF rate at the Olympic Marathon in Paris

Today is Sunday, July 12, 2025, and on this day in 1924, 58 men began the Olympic marathon in Paris - and only 30 were able to finish.

In this episode we will learn about the conditions that made race day so brutal, hear about the men who dropped out and those who prevailed, and then discuss the lasting impact that the 1924 Olympic Marathon had on safety conditions and accommodations within the world of road running.

This episode was edited and produced by my good friend and confidant, Rob Garcia. Check out his podcast, ⁠⁠Rob on the Run on Youtube⁠⁠, or on Instagram as @robontherunpod.

If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to like, subscribe, and share, then connect with me on ⁠⁠Instagram as well at @running_up_that_hillary⁠⁠, or check out my website at runningupthathillary.com. 

Bibliography:

• https://www.runnerspace.com/gprofile.php?mgroup_id=44531&do=news&news_id=669366


• https://www.mediastorehouse.com/mary-evans-prints-online/olympic-marathon-runners-1924-paris-olympics-14126408.html


• https://www.thetimes.com/article/how-red-wine-fuelled-1924-olympic-marathon-runners-jzk6ngrxc


• https://www.olympics.com/en/olympic-games/paris-1924/results/athletics/marathon-men


• https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240725-how-climate-change-has-altered-paris-olympics-between-1924-and-2024


• https://www.olympics.com/en/news/stenroos-marks-marathon-comeback-in-style


• https://www.paris.fr/en/pages/an-alternative-history-of-the-marathon-in-7-tales-27497


• https://web.archive.org/web/20200417173628/https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/summer/1924/ATH/mens-marathon.html