The 1904 St. Louis marathon was absolute chaos. It's the kind of story that leaves you wondering how anyone survived. Imagine running 25 miles through dust, dodging traffic, angry dogs, and dealing with just two water stations. Now add temperatures pushing 90 degrees. Sound fun?The 1904 St. Louis marathon was absolute chaos. It's the kind of story that leaves you wondering how anyone survived. Imagine running 25 miles through dust, dodging traffic, angry dogs, and dealing with just two water stations. Now add temperatures pushing 90 degrees. Sound fun?

One guy decided halfway through to hitch a ride in a car, then casually crossed the finish line like nothing had happened. Another, Félix Carvajal, stopped mid-race for a snack: rotten apples. Still managed to finish 4th. The winner was given strychnine (yes, poison) to “help” him finish the race.One guy decided halfway through to hitch a ride in a car, then casually crossed the finish line like nothing had happened. Another, Félix Carvajal, stopped mid-race for a snack: rotten apples. Still managed to finish 4th. The winner was given strychnine (yes, poison) to “help” him finish the race.