WHY MARATHON?

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 22

WHY MARATHON?

The ran a Marathon in Lexington yesterday, but they ran ifc over the wrong route,. says a message to the United States' Press. It was Patriots' Day, commemorating what happened on that eventful 19th April, 1775, when men ran from Lexington to Concord and others, so they say, from Concord right back to Boston. "Why run from Hopkintou to Boston where there is a historic course ready for the asking and of pretty near the right length? And why call the race held in honour of the early New Engenders, by the Greek name of Marathon? Why not call it a Lexington? . Anyway, the distance of 2G miles 385 yards lias nothing to do with the original Marathon . course which was only 22 miles. Probably the competitors on 20th April, 1931, would have been better pleased if Hopkinton to Boston had been four miles shorter than from Marathon to Athens instead_ of four miles more. So at any rate it seemed to the Londoner watching the finish from the shaded side of Exeter street. What would old Pheidippidesj who won the first Marathon, have thought of his American emulators? What did the two Greek youths who strolled slowly along Commonwealth avenue (no, they were not competitors), talking softly in their musical tongue, think of them, of the crowds, of the whole spectacle? fresh, roasted peanuts here; FWe cents a bag, hero, intoned a lad at intervals as he walked behind the two Greeks. "Fresh, roasted peanuts hove; five cents a bag here!" What was the Athenian equivalent's Long before the runners were due to

AN AMERICAN PUZZLE

arrive, the course was lined with hopeful spectators. Balloon sellers, ice cream vendors, newsboys did their best to mako the most of somewhat limited opportunities. . It was quite like boat-race day on the Thames. An official automobile chugged past, "Who's ahead?" called a burly Irish enthusiast. "Henigan," replied the automobile. "He's the man I want to win," shouted the Irishman. "Hooray!" The crowd cheered with him. . "Ice cream, ten cents —only a dime," sang a passing lad, in deep bass. "Ice' cream, five cents—only a nickel," challenged a rival. "Ice cream," echoed a stalwart Italian in a shrill tenor. Fresh, roasted peanuts here; * Fire cents a bag, bere. "Who's ahead?" cried the Irishman again. "Hooray—he's the man I want to win. Hooray." What would Pheidippides have said? No doubt he would have appreciated the attendant aiutomobile which handed out a sponge filled with ice-cold water to one super-heated competitor who balanced tho dripping thing on his dripping head as ho ran on optimistically with Henigan, already home seven minutes ahead of him and no rival within sight. Why Marathon? mused the Londoner once more as he moved away. Of course, Boston —the Hub—tho American Athens. The reason ought to have been obvious. But tho Londoner still thinks tho Lexington would be an awfully good title.