On April 19, 1897, the first Boston Marathon was run. Marathons became popular after one was held as part of the 1896 Olympics. Afterward, the manager of the US team was inspired to establish the Boston Marathon. April 19, Patriots’ Day, was selected as the date to remember the start of the Revolutionary War. The route began at Metcalf’s Mill in Ashland, Massachusetts, and ended at Boston’s Irvington Street Oval near Copley Square. Fifteen men participated.
