Among these races was an 8.5-mile roller marathon organized in 1908 by a group of Chicago rink owners, a 24-hour endurance championship held in Milwaukee in 1913, and a 24-hour banked track race held at Madison Square Garden in 1914. Īlthough tripping and pushing may not have been allowed at certain events, popular speed and endurance races continued to be held on both flat and banked tracks in the century's first three decades. This network of regional associations lasted 20 years, organized championship races, and established rules that prohibited rough play. The International Skating Union of America, a competitor of the International Skating Union, formed in 1907 partly in response. Due to rowdiness at some events, including tripping and pushing, speed roller skating acquired a reputation for being something less than a legitimate sport. Races routinely featured amateur skaters as well as professionals, some of whom toured as troupes. The popularity of roller skate racing, including endurance events, continued in the early 20th century.
Though the inquest that resulted from Cohen's death led to a recommendation for a law prohibiting roller skating activities exceeding four hours in length, a second six-day race was announced in May 1885. Two deaths resulted from the six-day race: both the winner, William Donovan, and skater Joseph Cohen died shortly after the race was completed. In 1885, a six-day "go-as-you-please" competition was staged at Madison Square Garden in New York City, with 36 skaters competing for $500 in prize money. Clough skated 100 miles over the course of nearly ten hours in Geneseo, Illinois. The growing popularity of roller skating in the United States led to the formation of organized endurance races as early as 1884, when skater Victor W.
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