Rat Race

In the early 20th century, the International Olympic Committee made a historic decision: the 1904 Summer Olympics were to be held in Chicago, a city bustling with excitement and ready to host the grand international event. But fate, and the ambitions of another American city, had other plans.

Several hundred miles away, in St. Louis, Missouri, preparations were underway for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, a grand World's Fair to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. The fair promised to be a spectacle of culture, technology, and human achievement. But the organizers in St. Louis eyed the upcoming Olympics with a mix of rivalry and opportunity.

Determined not to be overshadowed by Chicago's moment in the international spotlight, the St. Louis organizers made a bold, unprecedented move. They threatened to organize their own international sports event if the Olympics were not relocated to St. Louis, to coincide with the World's Fair. The idea of two competing events in the same year, in the same country, posed a dilemma for the Olympic Committee.

The committee, weighing the implications, faced a tough decision. The prospect of the World's Fair outshining the Olympics, and the logistical challenges of managing two major events, led to a fateful conclusion. In a decision that would forever alter the course of the 1904 Olympics, the committee acquiesced to the demands of St. Louis.

On a sweltering summer day in August 1904, a group of intrepid runners gathered in St. Louis, for the third marathon in Olympic history. Little did they know, this race would go down in history as one of the most bizarre and grueling marathons ever run.

As the starting pistol cracked under the scorching sun, thirty-two athletes from four nations embarked on a treacherous 24.85-mile journey. The course, more a trial by fire than a race track, meandered through dusty roads, over hills, and past industrial sites. The unforgiving sun blazed down, and the dust kicked up by accompanying vehicles choked the air.

Among the eclectic group of competitors was Felix Carvajal, a Cuban postman who had lost all his money in New Orleans and arrived at the race in street clothes, which he cut down to shorts. There was also Len Tau, a South African runner, who would soon find himself chased off course by a pack of wild dogs.

But the real drama began with American runner Frederick Lorz. After leading the pack, Lorz succumbed to exhaustion near the nine-mile mark. In an unprecedented move, he hitched a ride in a car, waving cheerfully at his fellow competitors as he passed them. The car broke down after 11 miles, and Lorz, rejuvenated, decided to finish the race on foot. He entered the stadium to roaring applause and was declared the winner, only to confess his ruse shortly after.

The true hero of the day, though, was Thomas Hicks. The runner from Massachusetts, battling through the unbearable heat, began to falter. In a desperate attempt to keep him going, his trainers gave him a dangerous concoction of brandy and strychnine, a common rat poison. Hallucinating and barely able to walk, Hicks was virtually carried over the finish line by his support team, claiming victory in a staggering time of over three hours.

Meanwhile, the other competitors battled their own wars. William Garcia was found lying on the roadside, nearly dead from the dust inhalation, which had caused severe internal bleeding. Sam Mellor, leading at one point, had to stop due to stomach cramps. Only 14 of the 32 starters managed to complete the course, making it a race of attrition more than speed.

The 1904 Olympic marathon in St. Louis was a wild ride. Take the water station fiasco – only one for the entire race. That's like going through life without an emergency fund. You never know when you'll hit a rough patch, and having some savings is like those much-needed water stations, keeping you hydrated and on track.

And then there's the story of Frederick Lorz, who hitched a ride in a car during the marathon. Tempting, right? It's a bit like those get-rich-quick schemes or risky investments that promise big returns without much effort. Sure, it might seem like you're racing ahead, but there's no true shortcut to financial success. Eventually, just like Lorz was, you'll be caught out, and it won't be worth it.

Remember Thomas Hicks, who almost collapsed and had to be helped across the finish line? He's a lot like when we overextend ourselves financially, biting off more debt than we can chew. It might feel like you're keeping pace in the short term, but it's not sustainable. Eventually, you’ll find yourself struggling to make it to the finish line.

The overall chaos of the marathon route, poorly planned and marked, is a little too similar to navigating life without a solid financial plan. If you don't know where you're going or how to get there, it’s easy to end up lost or sidetracked.