[2] The event was won by Ken McArthur of South Africa, the nation's first Olympic marathon victory.

He was taken care of by a local family, and eventually returned to finish the Marathon on scene in 1967, at age 77.

Sweden and the United States each entered full 12-man teams; the American team included 1911 Boston Marathon winner Clarence DeMar, 1912 Boston winner Michael J. Ryan, and 1908 Olympic bronze medalist Joseph Forshaw.

The United States made its fifth appearance, the only nation to have competed in each Olympic marathon to that point.

The distance was nearly two kilometres shorter;[7] nevertheless, Ken McArthur's winning time is registered as an Olympic record.