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New York's John J. McDermott won the first marathon 116 years ago. In a field of just 15 runners, only 10 finished. The course was just 24.5 miles long and he finished in 2:55:10.
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Because of American Involvement in World War I, the marathon was ran under a different format. A ten-man military relay race was won by the team from Camp Devens in Ayer, Mass.
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The course was lengthened to 26 miles, 385 yards to meet Olympic standards. The starting line was moved west from Ashland to its current starting point in Hopkinton.
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John A. Kelly Obituary: When John A. Kelley caught up with Ellison Brown on the last of Newton's hills, Kelley gave him a pat on the back as he took first place. But the pat motivated Brown, who retook the lead and won the race, "breaking Kelley's heart," as Boston Globe reporter Jerry Nason told it.
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John J. Kelley became the first and only Boston Athletic Association member to win the Boston Marathon. Kelley was also the only American winner from 1946-1967. Kelley attended Boston University from 1950-1954 and won the marathon at the 1959 Pan American Games. John J. Kelley Obituary
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Katherine Switzer becomes the first woman to race in the Boston Marathon. By signing her name K.V. Switzer on the entry form, she snuck into the race. A race official tried to stop Switzer in the middle of the race, but her boyfriend pushed him aside and Switzer finished in 4:20:00. Five years later, women were allowed to race. Katherine Switzer's Website
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Bob Hall becomes the first recognized participant to complete the course in a wheelchair with a time of 2:58:00, marking the start of the wheelchair division. VIDEO: Bob Hall and the Boston Marathon
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The 100th Boston Marathon saw the most finishers in the marathon's history: 35,868. Uta Pippig overcame a 30-second deficit and severe dehydartion to become the first woman in the official era to win the marathon three consecutive times. PHOTOS: The 100th Boston Marathon
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Geoffrey Mutai of Kenya (right) sets a new course and world record with a time of 2:03:02. However, his time wasn't accepted as a world record because the course ends at a lower elevation than it starts. [BU News Service Coverage](rnalism.com/marathon2011/)
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Runners battled temperatures near 90 degrees. Due to the heat, runners who entered but did not run were guaranteed admission into this year's race. Also, the 500,000th runner in 116 years of the marathon crossed the finish line. BU News Service Coverage
