 The first marathon at the 1896 Games of the I Olympiad generated interest in the sport which led to similar races throughout most western countries and across the United States . While marathons sporadically occurred in New York City and St. Louis , the Boston Marathon had established an annual marathon in 1897 , soon to be followed by Chicago . Beginning in 1905 , the Chicago Marathon ( organized first by the Illinois Athletic Club 1905 to 1909 , then sponsored by the Chicago Daily News after 1910 ) was held annually , with significant community and spectator support , until the early 1920s . 
