Top 12 Windsor Olympic Connections

1. Three times for Windsor

The 2012 Games were the third time that the Olympic Games had been hosted by Great Britain and the third time events had taken place in Windsor.  In 1908 the marathon started at Windsor Castle; in 1948 the cycling took place in Windsor Great Park and in 2012 the rowing and canoe sprint events take place at Eton Dorney.

2. William Henry Grenfell, Lord Desborough

Local man, William Henry Grenfell, Lord Desborough, organised the 1908 Games.  He lived at Taplow Court near Maidenhead and his sporting accomplishments include rowing in the University boat race, rowing across the English Channel, climbing the Matterhorn by three different routes, winning the national putting championships, swimming across the bottom of Niagara Falls (twice) and winning a silver medal in fencing at the 1906 unofficial Olympics. He was elected an MP at 25, married an heiress, was Mayor of Maidenhead, became a peer in 1905 and served as a Knight of the Garter. Taplow Court can be seen from the Eton Dorney venue.

3. The Marathon race distance is set in Windsor

In 1908 Windsor hosted the Marathon which started outside the castle.  At the time the actual race distance wasn’t fixed. Moving the starting point from Queen Victoria’s statue to East Terrace so that spectators wouldn’t hinder the athletes added 700 hundred yards to the total distance. A few changes at the White City finishing point meant the eventual race distance was 26 miles 385 yards and this was officially adopted as the length of the Marathon in 1924.

4. A Right Royal Start to the Marathon

On the day of the Marathon the Princess of Wales (later Queen Mary) and her children decided to come from Frogmore House to the Castle to see the start.  The Crown Prince of Sweden was due to start the race but protocol dictated he should defer to her so an elaborate plan was devised to keep all happy. The Princess of Wales pressed a button on a table which connected by electric cable to Lord Desborough’s car. He fired a pistol and the Crown Prince of Sweden shouted “Go”.

5. Eton's 1908 Marathon Marker

Eton High Street has the only 1908 marathon route marker still in existence.  It’s high up on a house on the College side of Barnes Bridge, just beneath the Slough Road sign and marks the “25 miles to go” point.

6. The Burning Bush, Eton High Street

The1948 Olympic torch came through Windsor down Kings Road, Sheet Street, High Street and over the bridge to Eton where the hand over was at the ‘burning bush’ outside Eton College’s school hall.  This famous meeting point is made of wrought iron and was designed by architect Woodyear in 1864. It was lit by gas and stood on a central island but was moved in 1963 on safety grounds and is no longer illuminated.

7. 1948 Road Cycle Race, Windsor

The 1948 road cycle race was moved to Windsor from the originally planned venue, Richmond Park, when it was discovered that any activity at more than 20 miles an hour was prohibited.  The race was held on Friday 13th August and was started in a torrential downpour on Smith’s Lawn, Windsor Great Park, by HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. The race distance was 120 miles, comprised of 17 laps which took approximately 18 minutes each to complete.

8. Britain won silver in the 1948 cycling team race

Competitors suffered punctures due to the loose gravel on the roads.  Of the 91 who started, 52 suffered punctures and only 28 finished. One of the team speaking to Prince Philip afterwards said “I got a medal despite your dirty old park”.  “Jolly good show” replied the Duke.

9. Dorney Lake

Dorney Lake is a 2,200m, eight-lane course with a separate return lane constructed to international standards by Eton College.  Set in 450 acres of parkland which includes an Arboretum and Nature Conservation area, up to 30,000 spectators a day enjoyed the Rowing, Canoe Sprint and Paralympic Rowing events at Dorney Lake, assisted by 3,500 staff and volunteers.

10. The Austerity Games

London had been selected as the host city for the 1944 Games, however these were postponed due to World War Two.  Eventually taking place only three years after the end of the War, the 1948 Games became known as the Austerity Games, due to the ongoing rationing and post-war conditions.  Most countries brought their own food and athletes were housed in army barracks and transported to venues in double-decker buses.

11. Rowing

Rowing has been an event at every modern Olympic games; a women’s competition was added in 1976. 

With an oar stroke rate of up to 47 strokes per minute rowing is known for its display of stamina and strength. Physiologists say rowing 2,000m is equivalent to playing back-to-back Basketball games.

12. Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle featured on the cover of the 1908 Marathon official programme rather than the main stadium or an athletic representation. 

The Great Western Railway put on a special train from London’s Paddington Station to Windsor and allowed the runners to change in the waiting room at Windsor Station.

In 2008 Queen Elizabeth II held a reception at Windsor Castle to mark the 100th anniversary of the 1908 marathon.