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The 1904 Olympic Marathon included a runner who hitchhiked half the race, another who was chased by wild dogs, and one who nearly died from rat poison
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Science Gone WrongMar 26, 2026

The 1904 Olympic Marathon included a runner who hitchhiked half the race, another who was chased by wild dogs, and one who nearly died from rat poison

The 1904 Olympic Marathon was completely chaotic and dangerous. Fred Lorz hitchhiked 11 miles then ran again. Thomas Hicks received strychnine rat poison as energy. Andarín Carvajal stopped to eat apples and chat. Wild dogs chased multiple runners through Missouri.

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