The 1904 marathon was one of the most bizarre events in a thoroughly bizarre Olympic Games. A total of 32 participants from four nations took part with only 14 finishing.

• The marathon distance was 39.99km instead of the standard 42.2km of today.

• The race in St Louis was run at 3:03pm in 32 degrees Celsius heat.

• The route was five laps around the stadium and then exit the stadium and run on dusty, untarred roads. Race officials drove ahead of and in between the racers, stirring up the dust.

• There were only two drinks stations, which meant all participants were severely dehydrated.

• Fred Lorz dropped out after nine miles, suffering from cramps. He caught a lift back in a car and rejoined the race when the car broke down. He crossed the finish line first and was almost awarded the medal when his deceit was pointed out.

• Thomas Hicks ended up winning but he needed assistance. He received strychnine mixed with brandy and his support team had to carry him, with Hicks moving his legs as if running in the air.

• Cuban postman Andarín Carvajal gambled his money away and had to hitchhike to St Louis. He ran in street clothes, cutting his trousers to make them look like shorts. Having not eaten for 40 hours, he went into an orchard to eat some apples. They were rotten and he got severe stomach cramps. He took a nap to sleep off the pain, and still managed to finish fourth!

• The first two black Africans to compete at the Olympics were South African runners Len Tau and Jan Mashiani who were in St Louis as part of the South African exhibit at the 1904 World’s Fair. Len Tau finished ninth, which many were disappointed in, as he and Mashiani were long distance message runners during the Boer War. However Tau had been chased off course by a pack of feral dogs, and he ran barefoot!

By Dan Fredericks

Hockey fans in Parkes have been glued to their screens to watch local hero Mariah Williams play for the Hockeyroos at the Tokyo Olympics.

The team beat Spain 3-1 in their opening match on Sunday, and continued their winning streak on Monday defeating China 6-0. The result of their third game against host nation Japan was not yet available at the time of going to press.

Mariah played a major part in the game against China helping to set up two of the goals with the commentator praising her skill and athleticism.

At Parkes East Public School some keen junior hockey players spent their lunch in the library on Monday to support Mariah and see her in action at the Games. The school posted some photos of the students following their hero’s Olympic journey, and Mariah responded in the comments: “Aww thanks for the support guys!”

While local hockey games had to be cancelled last weekend because of wet conditions, Parkes Hockey Inc encouraged its members to support the Hockeyroos instead. After the win over China Parkes Hockey Inc wrote in a Facebook post: “It was so good to see our girl back out on the pitch today, and what a game she played!”

The Hockeyroos are aiming for their first Olympic medal since Sydney 2000.

Esteemed Australian tennis coach and former professional player Louise Pleming has created an organisation to help disadvantaged Australians enjoy physical activity and greater human connection.

The story of how she connected with a homeless man three years ago that led to the establishment of Rally4Ever was recently featured on Australian Story on ABC TV.

Local tennis coach Helen Magill has brought the program to Parkes and the first free session took place yesterday.

“We are reaching out to at-risk groups and to those who are feeling ‘stuck’, looking for connection and an avenue to better mental and physical health,” said Louise. “We are not mental health professionals, nor do we claim to be, but we have seen the benefits of exercise, movement and connection on mental health.”

Rally4Ever has developed an ongoing tennis program that aims to bring people together on court. Each session ends with a short, guided interaction that builds camaraderie and connection and is designed to retrain the brain to think positively and focus on ways to move forward.

“What we are doing can change lives,” said Louise. “I know that because I’ve seen it happen. Three years ago, I was approached by a homeless man when I was volunteering at an inner-city soup kitchen. Brian Turton recognised me as a former professional tennis player and Grand Slam commentator and asked if I would play a game of tennis with him.

“We’re now firm friends and our weekly hit-out has led to so many positive changes in his life – he’s in housing, interacts more positively with everyone and has just earned his own coaching accreditation.”

The program runs every Thursday at the Parkes Tennis Club, Victoria Street from 1 – 2pm. To join in a fun and free session of tennis email helenmagill@bigpond.com or call 0407 253 888.