London 1908 Summer Olympics

London, UK. The Games that fixed the marathon distance at 26 miles 385 yards

Overview

Rome relinquished the Games after Mount Vesuvius erupted in 1906, and London raised the White City Stadium in under two years. The marathon established the modern distance of 26 miles 385 yards, measured from Windsor Castle to the royal box, after Italian Dorando Pietri collapsed in the stadium and was disqualified for being helped over the line. The host British team won 56 gold medals, a national record that still stands.