Albin Lermusiaux, bronze medallist in the 1500m, was the leader to
20km, where he was caught by Edwin Flack, winner of the
800m/1500m. The runners then began a long uphill climb, and the
dusty conditions began to take their toll, with seven of the 17 runners
failing to finish. In sixth place, Louis took some wine (!) at the 23km
point, and noted to observers that he would be leading before long.
Flack went ahead at 24km, and he led to 32km where Louis took over,
and Lermusiaux collapsed.
At 37km, Louis increased the pace, and Flack could not cope, col-
lapsing shortly after. Starting the race on a hot day at 14:00 did little to
benefit the runners, but Louis had no difficulties, and to the joy of the
King of Greece and the crowd, he entered the Panathenaic stadium
seven minutes ahead of the others. His time was 20 minutes faster than
his fifth place performance in the Greek trials race 17 days earlier, and
he beat the Greek Champion Vasilakos by the biggest margin of victory
ever in an Olympic marathon. Third-placer Spiridon Belokas (3:06:30)
was disqualified for receiving a carriage ride, after a protest by Kellner,
the only non-Greek to finish.
Greece
Hungary
Australia
France
United States
