History Early marathon swims: St. Louis “Water Marathon” (1906) By Evan Morrison - 8 January 2020 0 547 One of the earliest marathon swim races in the U.S. was a 10-mile contest in the Mississippi River near St. Louis, Missouri in August 1906. Check out this Chicago Tribune clipping – 1 year before the first Boston Light Swim. St Louis Globe-Democrat, August 26, 1906. Click to enlarge.