On This Day in Fitness History

On November 7, 1869, the first cycling race to cover a distance between two cities—123 kilometers, or 76.4 miles—was held between Paris and Rouen, France.

The winner, James Moore, an Englishman living in Paris, finished the race in 10 hours and 40 minutes. The race included 120 participants and notably featured the first women in a cycling competition. Only 32 competitors completed the race, including one of the women. Rowley Turner finished in 29th place—12 hours and 10 minutes after Moore, and one place ahead of her husband—and was referred
to as “Miss America.”