The history of the Boston Marathon has spanned from the Greek hoplite's dog to become a prominent presence at the event, dating back to the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. For many years, dogs were seen as a nuisance or even a "menace," but attitudes have since shifted towards sympathy towards them. This shift has been particularly noticeable in the last decade as spectator dogs have risen to prominence. The first notable dog-related incident occurred in 1947, when South Korean runner Suh Yun-bok became the first Asian winner in the event’s history. Other notable examples include a German Shepherd from 1967, who rode alongside the winner Dave McKenzie, and a black Labrador named Chief who displayed a ball in its mouth at Fenway Park.