American marathon runner Frank Shorter, observing the unfolding events from the balcony of his nearby lodging, was quoted as saying, " Imagine those poor guys over there.

Paavo Nurmi Marathon, held annually since 1969, is the oldest marathon in Wisconsin and the second-oldest in the American Midwest.

However, North American races were usually conducted packstyle, similar to the marathon races in the Netherlands, but the Olympic races were to be held over the four ISU-approved distances.

* May 16 – Jean Benoît, American Olympic gold medal-winning marathon runner

* March 18 – Woodstock of physics: The marathon session of the American Physical Society ’ s meeting features 51 presentations concerning the science of high-temperature superconductors.

* Ryan Hall, runner of the fastest marathon ever by an American, 2: 04: 58, at the 2011 Boston Marathon

* Dick Beardsley, champion marathon runner, motivational speaker and author, 3rd-fastest American born male marathon runner, Grandma's Marathon record holder, Boston Marathon silver medalist ( 1982 ), founder of Dick Beardsley Running Company, formerly resided in Detroit Lakes

To ensure that the race would finish in front of the King, the finish line was moved by British officials who, in response to shot putter and American flag carrier Ralph Rose's refusal to dip the American flag before the Royal Box during the opening ceremony, “ felt compelled to restore the importance of the monarchy .” As a result of these changes, the marathon covered a distance of 26 miles 385 yards ( 42. 195 km ), which became the standard length starting with the 1924 Summer Olympics.

* Khalid Khannouchi – American record holder for the marathon

The first marathon over the now official distance was won by American Johnny Hayes at the 1908 Summer Olympics.

A marathon of selected Charley Chase shorts from the silent era was broadcast in 2005 on the American cable television network Turner Classic Movies.

Frankie Laine ( March 30, 1913 – February 6, 2007 ), born Francesco Paolo LoVecchio, was a successful American singer, songwriter, and actor whose career spanned 75 years, from his first concerts in 1930 with a marathon dance company to his final performance of " That's My Desire " in 2005.

* Johnny Hayes ( 1886 – 1965 ), American marathon runner

Alberto Salazar ( born August 7, 1958 in Cuba ) is an American marathon runner of the 1980s.

His first-ever marathon, the 1980 New York City race, resulted in a 2: 09: 41 win, at the time the fastest American debut and the second-fastest time recorded by a U. S. runner ( behind Bill Rodgers ' 2: 09: 27 at Boston in 1979 ).

Salazar ended the year ranked # 1 in the world in the marathon by Track & Field News magazine for his wins in Boston and New York, # 1 in the their North American Road Rankings for his American 10K road record win of 28: 04 at the Orange Bowl 10K and his course record of 31: 53 at the highly competitive Falmouth road race ( his second win and course record there ), # 8 in the world ( and # 1 American with an AR of 13: 11. 93 ) in the 5, 000 meters, and # 2 in the world in the 10, 000 meters, with three second place finishes at Eugene ( 27: 30. 0 ), at Oslo in an American Record of 27: 25. 61, and at Paris ( 27: 29. 06 ).

* March 18 – Woodstock of physics, the marathon session of the American Physical Society ’ s meeting featuring 51 presentations concerning the science of high-temperature superconductors.

During the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the channel screened a 17 day, multiple animated show marathon named " Battle of the Animations " involving Family Guy, American Dad, The Simpsons, Futurama and King of the Hill.

Frank Shorter's 1972 Games of the XX Olympiad marathon victory represented the convergence of many middle-class American ideals.

* 1963 – Regina Jacobs, American runner

* 1945 – Wyomia Tyus, American runner

* 1998 – Browning Ross, American runner ( b. 1924 )

* 1909 – Glenn Cunningham, American runner ( d. 1988 )

* 1958 – Mary Decker, American runner

* 1984 – Chris Solinsky, American runner

* 1963 – Thomas Hicks, British-born American runner ( b. 1875 )

* 1982 – Dathan Ritzenhein, American runner

* 1967 – Leroy Burrell, American runner

* 1898 – Allen Woodring, American runner ( d. 1982 )

* 1951 – Steve Prefontaine, American runner ( d. 1975 )

* 1944 – Edith McGuire, American runner

* 1915 – John Woodruff, American runner ( d. 2007 )

* 1987 – Manteo Mitchell, American runner

* 1993 – Jeremiah Godby, American runner

* 1964 – Butch Reynolds, American runner

* 1978 – Kara Goucher, American runner

* 1932 – Otis Davis, American runner

* 1875 – Thomas Hicks, American runner ( d. 1963 )

* 2009 – Joe Erskine, American boxer and long distance runner ( b. 1930 )

* Joe Smith ( athlete ) American runner, 1942 Boston Marathon winner

* 1932 – Wes Santee, American middle distance runner ( d. 2010 )