Men's World Record Times - 1905 to 1911

Jul 24, 1908 - Men's World Record
John Hayes (USA) - 2:55:18
Olympic Marathon, London, England

This was the first marathon of the modern Olympic Games and it was a very dramatic. Dorando Pietri of Italy had all but won the race when he lost all his strength at the very end. In front of 100,000 fans, Pietri entered the Olympic stadium for the finish and turned right instead of left. Before several people could point him in the correct direction, Pietri collapsed. Doctors and officials helped him back to his feet, but this was to be the first of four more falls along the lap. Although he ended up running in the correct direction and crossing the tape first, the unfortunate Italian was disqualified for having been helped across the finish line. The win went to John Hayes of the United States with a time of 2:55:18.4. Hayes' time became the first world record for the marathon.


Jan 1, 1909 - Men's World Record
Robert Fowler (USA) - 2:52:45
Yonkers Marathon, Yonkers, USA

On January 1, 1909, with temperatures dipping to 18 below zero in Yonkers, NY, American Robert Fowler endured the cold and chaos of uncontrolled crowds to set a world amateur record of 2:52:45. Seven runners later the disorganized race was stopped.


Feb 12, 1909 - Men's World Record
James Clark (USA) - 2:46:52
Brooklyn Marathon, New York, USA

On February 12, 1909, American James Clark ran from Brooklyn to Coney Island and back again in 2:46:52, setting a new world record.


May 8, 1909 - Men's World Record
Albert Raines (USA) - 2:46:04
Bronx Marathon, New York, USA

On May 8, 1909, American Albert Raines set a world record when he ran 2:46:04.6 in the Bronx marathon.


May 26, 1909 - Men's World Record
Harry Barrett (Britain) - 2:42:31
Polytechnic Marathon, Shepherd's Bush, England

On May 26, 1909, Britan's own Harry Barrett set a new world record while winning the first "Poly" marathon in 2:42:31. Barrett was a member of the Polytechnic Harriers, which organized the race.


Aug 31, 1909 - Men's World Record
Thure Johansson (Sweden) - 2:40:34
Idrottsparken Velodrome Marathon, Stockholm, Sweden

On August 31, 1909, Thure Johansson of Sweden set a new world record of 2:40:34 on a 368 m track. According to the International Athletic Foundation's Progression of World Best Performances and Official IAAF World Records the distance was actually 1 m short of 42.195 km.