Hopkinton to Boston in 65,500 Steps: Boston Marathon History and Reflections of a 21-time Finisher

Through freezing rain and sweltering heat, AAO President Dr. Chris Roberts has run the Boston Marathon 22 times, including the last 19 years in a row. His talk will include the unique history of the marathon race dating back over 2,500 years, its many interesting characters, and why a marathon is 26 miles 385 yards long. In addition, you will see a video of the race compressed to 3 minutes, taken the year he decided (regrettably) to wear a camera on his head. This lecture is for both runners and non-runners alike.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn the history behind the Battle of Marathon in ancient Greece and why it was so important to the ancient world.
• Learn how running a marathon race began and how it has changed over the years, both to the current distance (26.2 miles) and in its competitors.