Dance marathon

right|thumb|Marathon dancing, 1923

Dance marathons (or marathon dances) are events in which people dance or walk to music for an extended period of time. They started as dance contests in the 1920s and developed into human endurance contests, or exploitative entertainment events during the Great Depression in the 1930s. In the present day, dance marathons are commonly used as fundraisers. These modern marathons are usually 12–24 hours, a far cry from the 1,000-hour marathons of the 1930s.

Origins

thumb|Dancers at a 1923 event

According to Professor Carol Martin of New York University, the revival of the Olympic Games created a widespread interest in feats of strength, endurance contests, and world records that led to dance marathons.

Twelve days later, dance instructor Alma Cummings set a new record at the Audubon Ballroom in New York. Within three weeks, her record was broken at least nine times across the United States. By the late 1930s, dance marathons had faded from the cultural landscape. According to Martin, nearly every American city of 50,000 people or more hosted at least one endurance dance marathon at the peak of the craze. Most promoters were known to have bad business practices, such as not paying the event bills and ditching the contestants. On the other hand, a few promoters like Hal Ross made efforts for the events and paid the bills.

A live band played at night, while a radio or record player often sufficed during the day. "Cot Nights," in which the beds from the rest areas were pulled out into public view so the audience could watch the contestants even during their brief private moments, were popular. During the Great Depression, many Americans dealing with lost jobs stayed home watching dance marathons that often lasted for weeks or months. Marathons took on an almost theatrical role for spectators, who gained a sadistic sense of pleasure from watching the participants physically suffer. Soon after, the City of Boston banned dance marathons.

thumb|Photo of June Havoc

Vaudeville and Broadway star June Havoc began competing in dance marathons professionally at the age of 14.

Dance marathons for charity

Over 250 colleges and high schools in the United States participate in dance marathons of some sort to raise money for children's hospitals. Some raise money under the Children's Miracle Network, and sometimes with their help, while others are entirely student-run and operate to benefit partnered charities. Each year, students organize and host different types of dance marathon events in which participants stand on their feet for 12–46 hours straight.

Some US student-run dance marathons include:

Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON)

The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as THON, is a 46-hour dance marathon which takes place every February in the Bryce Jordan Center at Pennsylvania State University to raise money to combat pediatric cancer. THON was started in 1973 by the university's Interfraternity and Panhellenic Councils and in its first year raised more than $2,000. Today, it is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, with over 16,500 student volunteers and 400 student organizations, and has raised over $254 million since 1977. In 2011, THON raised $9,563,016.09, in 2013, $12,374,034.46 and in 2014, $13,343,517.33. In 2020, THON raised $11,696,942.38. Since 2022, THON has set a new fundraising record each year, most recently raising $18,841,726.53 in 2026. The money raised is donated to the Four Diamonds Fund, a charity devoted to defeating pediatric cancer through research and treats patients at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Children's Hospital.

Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM)

Founded in 1975, Northwestern University Dance Marathon, commonly referred to as NUDM, is one of the nation's largest student-run philanthropies. The event unites more than 1,500 students, faculty, and staff to participate in the 30-hour dance-a-thon at the end of the winter quarter in early March. Unlike other Dance Marathons, NUDM changes which charity it primarily supports from year to year. The primary beneficiary is chosen each May, and will receive 90% of all funds raised throughout the year. The other 10% is donated to the Evanston Community Foundation (ECF), which then uses this gift to allocate grants to local Evanston charities. NUDM 2020 will be the 23rd year where ECF has been the secondary beneficiary. With 1,000 dancers and over 500 committee members who work throughout the year to help organize the event and raise awareness, NUDM is a Northwestern tradition. In 2014, NUDM raised its highest total to date, $1,385,273 to benefit Team Joseph. In 45 years, NUDM raised more than $20 million for over 30 charities.

Indiana University Dance Marathon (IUDM)

The Indiana University Dance Marathon, commonly known as IU Dance Marathon or IUDM, is a 36-hour Dance Marathon that takes place every November at Indiana University with the purpose of raising both funding and awareness for pediatric care. In 1991, student Jill Stewart started IU Dance Marathon in honor of her friend, Ryan White, who died from AIDS the year before. Since then, IUDM has raised over $32 million for Riley Hospital for Children, including $4,203,326.23 during the 2017 marathon year. IUDM currently supports the Wells Center for Pediatric Research and Riley Hospital for Children.

University of Iowa Dance Marathon (UIDM)

The University of Iowa Dance Marathon was founded in 1994 and provides financial and emotional support to pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients treated at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Over the past 24 years, the university's largest student organization has raised $24,548,226.30 for the children's hospital. In 2018, UIDM raised a total of $3,011,015.24, making it the second Miracle Network Dance Marathon in the country to raise over three million dollars. After a ten-year, $5 million leadership gift to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital's building campaign, the 11th floor was named the UI Dance Marathon Pediatric Cancer Center. Since then, the student-run group has donated over $2.2 million to create the UI Dance Marathon Pediatric Oncology Targeted Therapy Program and $2 million to establish the first student-funded chair position at the University of Iowa, the UI Dance Marathon Chair in Pediatric Oncology, Clinical and Translational Research.

Florida State University Dance Marathon (DMFSU)

With more than one beneficiary, FSU's dance marathon benefits children's causes and has raised more than $6 million since 1996. The 2018 campaign raised a total of $2,152,382 for Children's Miracle Network, surpassing the previous year's record by $322,214.

Media

Hard to Handle (film) directed by Mervyn LeRoy, 1933.
They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (novel) by Horace McCoy, 1935.
Marathon '33 (play) by June Havoc, 1963.
The Gang Dances Their Asses Off (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Season 3, Episode 15), 2007
Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret's Hard Time Hit Parade (play) by Kat Single-Dain, 2011
Dance Until You Drop (play), 2018
No Miracles Here (play), 2019
Babylon Berlin: Season 4, Episode 3 (TV series), 2022