Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby, a race for three-year-old horses taking place in Churchill Downs, Louisville, was inaugurated in 1875. It is one of the oldest (but apparently not the oldest) continuously-run sporting event in the U.S. In comparison, the Boston Marathon was begun in 1897; and the World Series is generally said to have begun in 1903, as the 19th century playoff games are considered not part of a continuous line of championships.