The American Marathon

After its initial introduction at the 1896 Olympic Games in Greece, the modern marathon (26.2 miles) caught on quickly, traveling to America, where the first U.S. marathon, a 25-mile footrace from Connecticut to the Bronx, was held the same year. This was followed in 1897 by the granddaddy of the sport, the Boston Marathon. Cooper, a historical adviser for Runner's World, emphasizes the social significance of the marathon. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, upper-class athletes dominated more rarefied track and field events, leaving the marathon to the working classes and, increasingly to ethnic groups (particularly the Irish, Italians, Germans and African Americans) who could compete on equal terms. The 1970s saw both the increasing gentrification of the sport and a rise in the number of women bucking prohibitions against their participation. Cooper also looks at the politicking of American Germans and Jews over the 1936 Olympics; the influence of Joe Yancey and Harlem's New York Pioneer Club; the provincial boosterism in this ultimate big-city endeavor; and marathoning as a Cold War propaganda tool. Cooper is not the first to view this country's history through the lens of sports, but she does it well with a less well-examined pursuit. This comprehensive volume--heavy on sociology as well as athletics--contains everything you ever wanted to know about marathons, but also a great deal of real significance that you didn't know to ask. 12 b&w photos. (May)