Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Monday, May 29
    Trending
    • This Day in History on May 29th
    • History Short: The Most Useful Invention of All-Time?
    • Animated Map of the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine (through May 28th, 2023)
    • This Day in History on May 28th
    • History Short: First Asian Driver to Win Indianapolis 500!
    • This Day in History on May 27th
    • History Short: Who are the Chechens?
    • This Day in History on May 26th
    History and Headlines
    • Arts & Entertainment
      • Cinema & TV
      • Games
      • Literature
      • Music
      • Sports
      • Video Games
    • Bizarre Bulletin
      • Misconceptions
      • The Bizarre
      • The Paranormal
      • The Unexplained
    • Lifestyle
      • Animals/Pets
      • Fashion
      • Food
      • Health/Medicine
      • Home Improvement
      • Horoscopes
      • Travel
    • Science & Tech
      • Inventions
      • Nature
      • Vehicles
    • Society
      • Business and Economics
      • Crime
      • Military
      • Politics
      • Religion
      • Society
    • About
      • Welcome to Our Site!
      • This Day in History
      • Table of Contents: A History of the World
      • Online History Textbooks
      • A Guide to Some of Our Favorite Scholars and Educators
      • Advance Screenings and Movie Reviews Archive
      • Schedule of Video Adaptations of Our Articles
    • Friends
      • Armchair History TV
      • Fact Fiend
      • RealClearHistory
      • Simply Charly
      • TopTenz
      • ​Unique Interpretations
    History and Headlines
    You are at:Home»Lifestyle»Animals/Pets»10 of the Greatest Races
    Animals/Pets

    10 of the Greatest Races

    Major DanBy Major DanMay 26, 2016Updated:March 29, 20202 Comments6 Mins Read
    Email Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit Telegram Tumblr Twitter VKontakte WhatsApp

    A Brief History

    On May 26, 1923, the first 24 Hours of Le Mans automobile race was held. It remains today as one of the greatest auto races and is the oldest endurance race for cars.  Here we list 10 of the all time Greatest Races, with no limit as to the category.

    Digging Deeper

    10. F1 Powerboat World Championship, 1981.

    A 155 mph boat that weighs only 860 pounds powered by a 400 horsepower engine, loud and exciting!  The races last about 45 minutes and are run through a course incorporating several turns marked by buoys.  This contest is the highest level of powerboat racing.

    9.  Schneider Trophy, 1913
    .

    Originally a race for float planes (sea planes), the race was discontinued after 1931 because of the dominance of manufacturer Super marine (the folks that made the World War II Spitfire fighter plane).  Shortly after the 1931 race the winner set a world record (for that time) 407 mph, the first airplane to exceed 400 mph, a phenomenal achievement for the day, especially by a sea plane.  The race was reestablished in 1981, this time allowing land based aircraft.

    8.  Ironman World Championship, 1978.

    The premier triathlon event, it is held in Hawaii every year, consisting of a 2.4 mile ocean swim, a 112 mile bicycle race, and a 26.2 mile (Marathon) run.  The men’s record is 8 hours 3:56, and the women’s record is 8 hours 52:14.  After years of American domination, the event has taken on a multi-national flavor, with winners coming from countries other than the US for the last 11 years in a row.  There is even a category for physically challenged people.  The winner of this race certainly deserves the title, “Ironman.”

    7.  Dubai World Cup, 1996.

    Obviously held in Dubai, there are 9 races held in separate categories, 8 for thoroughbreds and 1 for purebred Arabian horses.  This competition is the richest horse race event in the world, with total prize money of over $21 million. The premier race, known as the G1, has a purse of $10 million, the richest single race purse in the world.

    6.  Indianapolis 500, 1911.

    The oval race track of 2 ½ miles used to be made of bricks, giving the speedway its nickname, The Brickyard.  Each Memorial day 300,000 race fans watch the event at the track, with millions more watching on television.  Driving open wheel race cars capable of almost 240 mph, the record winning speed over the course is 187 mph, not bad with making pit stops and having other cars constantly in the way.  The inaugural race was won at an average speed at 120 mph.  An interesting note is that the cars are limited to a 2.2 liter 6 cylinder engine, the size engine you would expect in a tiny economy car.  Of course, the turbocharged race engines produce 500 to 700 horsepower, which may be more than your average Honda Civic.

    5.  America’s Cup, 1851.

    The first race was appropriately won by the schooner, America, which lent its name to the trophy.  The most prestigious prize in yachting, the race is not held every year, sometimes going several years between challenges.  Stretching the limit of boat design and technology as well as seamanship,  a wide variety of boats have been used in the race, with multi-hull boats coming to prominence in recent years.  American boats have won 30 of the 35 races, with New Zealand, Switzerland, and Australia winning the other 5.

    4.  24 Hours of Le Mans, 1923.

    Driving for 24 hours, rain or shine, often in hot weather tests the endurance of man and machine. The record distance achieved is 3360 miles, an incredible 140 mph average speed.  This race has been a showcase for manufacturers to demonstrate not just the speed of their cars, but the reliability of a car driven hard for such an extended time.  Rules now state that at least 3 drivers must share the driving of each car, but in the past there were actually drivers that insisted on going solo to save time, avoiding driver switches.  A quirky rule is that the car’s motor must be turned off during refueling, a restriction not found in other races.  This adds another aspect of reliability of each car to the race, as you cannot win in a car that will not restart.

    3.  Olympic Marathon, 1896.

    A 26.2 mile footrace meant to commemorate the messenger that brought news of victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BCE back to Athens.  Of all the marathons run each year, the Olympic race, closing the Summer Olympics as the last event every 4 years, is the most prestigious.  Unlike those other marathons with hundreds or even thousands of contestants, only the best in the world compete for the Olympic Gold Medal and a place in history.

    2.  Kentucky Derby, 1875.

    The oldest race listed here, the Derby consists of 1 ¼ mile horserace by 3 year old thoroughbreds carrying 126 pounds of jockey and weights (male horses) or 121 pounds for fillies.  Called “The most exciting 2 minutes in sports,” or “The run for the Roses,” the Kentucky Derby attracts a bigger audience (165,000) than any other horse race in the world.  The record run was by the magnificent Secretariat in 1:59.4 in the 1973 race.

    1.  Wiener Nationals, 1996
    .

    Sponsored by Wienerschnitzel, a fast food hot dog restaurant chain, these races feature dachshunds racing every December in San Diego. Although there are many other dachshund races, the Wiener Nationals are considered the unofficial National Championship.  Dachshunds may have short legs and not look fast, but rest assured a healthy doxie can run faster than you, actually faster than any human that ever lived over a 25 or 50 yard course (4.22 seconds for a 50 yard dash).  Note:  Baron, 1992-2010 is considered the greatest wiener dog racer over his career, having never been defeated. Baron was a full sized dachshund, and weighed 34 muscular pounds.

    Question for students (and subscribers): What races would you include in this list? (Apologies to Daytona 500, Soap Box Derby, and others, but the list is only 10 races.  Is a sequel needed?)  Please let us know in the comments section below this article.

    If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons!

    Your readership is much appreciated!

    Historical Evidence

    For more information, please see…

    Borden, Louise and Niki Daly.  The Greatest Skating Race: A World War II Story from the Netherlands.  Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2004.

    NASCAR.  The Greatest Races.  Reader’s Digest, 2004.

    Pease, Pamela.  Pop-up Tour de France: The World’s Greatest Bike Race.  Paintbox Press, LLC, 2009.

    Share. Email Facebook LinkedIn Pinterest Reddit Telegram Twitter Tumblr
    Previous ArticleMay 26, 1977: People Do Stupid, Dangerous Things!
    Next Article May 27, 1958: The F-4 Phantom II Makes its First Flight
    Major Dan

    Major Dan is a retired veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served during the Cold War and has traveled to many countries around the world. Prior to his military service, he graduated from Cleveland State University, having majored in sociology. Following his military service, he worked as a police officer eventually earning the rank of captain prior to his retirement.

    Related Posts

    History Short: First Asian Driver to Win Indianapolis 500!

    May 28, 2023

    This Day in History on May 26th

    May 26, 2023

    History Short: Women in Space!

    May 26, 2023
    Follow Us!
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    • Patreon
    Sign Up For Our Newsletter!
    Most Recent

    This Day in History on May 29th

    May 29, 2023

    History Short: The Most Useful Invention of All-Time?

    May 29, 2023

    Animated Map of the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine (through May 28th, 2023)

    May 28, 2023

    This Day in History on May 28th

    May 28, 2023

    History Short: First Asian Driver to Win Indianapolis 500!

    May 28, 2023
    This Day in History Video

    Advertisements




    Amazon Affiliate Disclosure Statement

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases via links in the “Historical Evidence” sections of articles.

    About HistoryAndHeadlines.com

    Thanks for visiting History and Headlines!  This site exists primarily for educational purposes and is intended as a resource for Dr. Zar’s students.  Articles are mostly written by either Dr. Zar or his dad (Major Dan).  To any guest readers, please keep that in mind when commenting on articles.   Thank you!

    We try to present our students with historical topics that are both diverse and a bit out of the ordinary.  Our motto is “We try until we succeed!”

    Contact us at admin@historyandheadlines.com

    Guidelines and Policies for Images used on This Site, as well as for Guest and Sponsored Articles, and Other Terms of Use

    Privacy Statement

    © 2023 History and Headlines

    All-Time Most Commented

    July 28, 1866: 18 Year Old Girl Wins Commission to Sculpt Statue of Lincoln (A Truly Great American Woman)

    July 28, 2014

    December 24, 1865: Birth of the Ku Klux Klan

    December 24, 2015

    December 25, 1868: President Johnson Pardons all Confederate Veterans

    December 25, 2015

    February 5, 1909: First Plastic Invented was called Bakelite!

    February 5, 2014

    November 23, 1876: “Boss” Tweed Turned Over to Authorities

    November 23, 2013
    Recommended Book
    © 2023 ThemeSphere. Designed by ThemeSphere.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We are using cookies to give you the best experience on our website.

    You can find out more about which cookies we are using or switch them off in settings.

    History and Headlines
    Powered by  GDPR Cookie Compliance
    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

    Strictly Necessary Cookies

    Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

    If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

    x