Imagine a detective story worthy of Sherlock Holmes himself: a royal twist, a sporting controversy, and a determined amateur detective determined to solve a 116-year-old mystery. This is the tale of the 1908 London Olympic Marathon and the man who proved the iconic distance is true.

The drama unfolded on a sweltering London day in 1908. The Italian runner, Dorando Pietri, collapsed just meters from the finish line leading the marathon. Aided by officials he stumbled across the finish line only to be disqualified for receiving assistance. The American Johnny Hayes, was declared the winner.

This dramatic finish captivated Arthur Conan Doyle, who witnessed the event. However, the real mystery had yet to unfold. It all centred around the marathon’s distance which had been loosely established as around 25 miles until then. The 1908 Olympics marked the first time a specific distance—26 miles and 385 yards—was used.

Fast forward a century. A journalist reveled a bombshell: the 1908 course remeasured using modern methods appeared 174 yards short. Panic gripped marathon runners—was the iconic distance a big mistake?

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Enter Joe Neanor, a retired civil servant and a passionate marathon runner. Devastated by the news, he embarked on a four-year quest to prove the original distance was accurate.

The biggest hurdle? The discrepancy lay within the first 700 yards inside Windsor Castle, where the race began. The official records could have been more clear.

Neanor’s relentless digging through archives paid off. He unearthed a panoramic photo from a newspaper that captured the starting line and a crucial landmark – the young Princess Mary and the future King George VI.

With the starting point identified, Neanor needed an expert to re-measure the course. Hugh Jones, a London Marathon winner who measures marathon distances for a living, stepped in. But a new challenge arose: securing permission from the Royel Family to access the restricted areas of Windsor Castle.

Neanor took a shot in the dark and wrote to King Charles, requesting permission. Remarkably, the King granted his approval, showcasing his interest in the historical quest.

On a rainy day, Neanor and Jones, accompanied by the Windsor Castle superintendent, finally put their theory to the test. With meticulous measurements and trusty tools they are measured the first 700 yards.

The answer? A triumphant handshake. The original measurement was spot-on. The 1908 marathon truly covered the now-iconic 26 miles and 385 yards.

Neanor’s detective work might not be over. Windsor Castle is considering acknowledging his efforts by marking the starting point for future reference.

Regardless, Neanor has secured his place in history. He not only solved a longstanding mystery but also ensured the legacy of the 1908 marathon – the race that truly established the gruelling, yet revered, distance of 42,195 meters.