Leonard Hurst 200-franc prize in a winning time of 2:31:30; 27 minutes faster than the mark of 2:58:50 set by Spiridon Louis of Greece three months earlier at the first Olympic marathon in Athens, Greece on 10 April 1896. Set on courses shorter than the now-standardized distance of 42,195 km (26 miles 385 yards), the performances of Louis and Hurst were never officially recognised as world records in the marathon. 1897 contemporary sources report Hurst finishing second behind F. Champion in the second running of the event; and again finishing second in 1899 behind A. Charbonnel. In 1900 the race was run
Morgantown Marathon intermediate 26.2 miles. The final mile is among the steepest sections of the course, rising from the downtown area adjacent to the Monongahela River to finish line at the WVU Coliseum. The Morgantown Marathon's tagline is "26.2 Almost Heavenly Miles." This motto comes from the song "Take Me Home, Country Roads" by John Denver where the state is referred to as "almost heaven." Key: Morgantown Marathon The Morgantown Marathon is a 42.195 km (26.2 mi) race run through the seven wards of Morgantown, West Virginia. Its inaugural run was held in 2015. An official time from the Morgantown Marathon can