Who was the first American male athlete to win the Olympic marathon?

Thomas Hicks, a British-born athlete representing the United States, won the marathon at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, becoming the first American man to win the Olympic marathon.

The strange 1904 Olympic marathon:

• It was held on 30 August 1904 in extreme heat (over 30 °C), on dusty roads, with only one water stop along the course.
• Only 14 of the 32 starters finished.

Fred Lorz of the USA crossed the finish line first, but it was discovered that he had ridden in a car for about 11 miles after suffering cramps. He was disqualified, and the title went to Hicks.

Hicks himself was given small doses of strychnine (a poison then used as a stimulant) mixed with egg whites and brandy by his trainers during the race. He was barely able to finish and had to be helped across the line. Such substances were not banned at the time.

Cuban runner Andarín Carvajal, who arrived with little money, ran in street clothes and stopped to eat apples along the way, still finished fourth.

Later American Olympic marathon champions:

• Johnny Hayes (1908 London), after the leader Dorando Pietri of Italy collapsed and was helped across the line, leading to his disqualification.
• Frank Shorter (1972 Munich).
• Joan Benoit won the first women's Olympic marathon in 1984 (Los Angeles).

About the marathon:

• The distance was fixed at 42.195 km after the 1908 London Olympics.
• The first Olympic marathon (1896, Athens) was won by Spyridon Louis of Greece.
• Eliud Kipchoge of Kenya won the Olympic marathon in 2016 and 2020.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Johnny Hayes won the 1908 marathon, after Hicks.
• ✗Frank Shorter won in 1972.
• ✗Spyridon Louis was a Greek runner who won the first Olympic marathon in 1896.