John McDermott (runner)
John McDermott | |
---|---|
Manhattan, New York, U.S. | |
Died | Before 1906 (aged 31–32) |
Occupation | Lithographer |
Known for | Marathon running |
John J. McDermott (October 16, 1874 – before 1906) was an Irish-American athlete. Nicknamed "J.J." or "little Mac", he won the first marathon run in the United States in 1896, as well as the inaugural Boston Marathon, then known as the B.A.A. Road Race, in 1897.[2][3] He was a lithographer by trade.[4]
Biography
Little is known of McDermott's life outside of his running accomplishments. He was born in
First American marathon
The first marathon race to be held in the United States took place on September 19, 1896, five months after the
The roads for the first eight miles (13 km) were in terrible condition, covered in mud and slush from heavy precipitation that morning. McDermott, representing the Pastime Athletic Club of New York City, took the lead at New Rochelle, about seven miles (11 km) from the finish, and held that lead, completing the race in the time of 3:25:55.6, two and a half minutes ahead of the second-place athlete, cross-country runner Hamilton Gray.[14] The winning time was 27 minutes slower than the Olympic Marathon time posted by Spiridon Louis five months previously, which was attributed to the difficult conditions under which the race was run. Nineteen athletes completed the race in total.[16]
First Boston Marathon
On April 19, 1897, McDermott ran the first Boston Marathon as one of 15 starters, six from New York. He lost 10 pounds (5 kg) over the course of the race.
The initial lead was taken by Hamilton Gray, second in the New York race, and
McDermott's time was 2:55:10, three minutes and forty seconds faster than Spiridon Louis’ time at the Olympic Games, so it was immediately claimed as a world record.
McDermott had finished the marathon with bloody and blistered feet, his skin peeling off. He stated that this would likely be his last long race. But he returned the next year to defend his title. He was the race favorite. Hamilton Gray and Dick Grant were back as well. However, the race was won by Ronald McDonald, a 22-year-old from Antigonish, Nova Scotia, Canada, who was a student at Boston College, in a course record time of 2:42:00, over 13 minutes faster than McDermott's time from the previous year. McDermott also beat his previous time, finishing in 2:54:17, but finished only fourth.[20]
References
- ^ "New York, New York City Births, 1846-1909," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27BP-KG7 : 20 March 2015), Johnny McDermott, 16 Oct 1874; citing Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, reference cn 145570 New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,322,082.
- ISBN 9780738563503. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ^ Boston Athletic Association (2011). "Boston Marathon History: 1897-1900". www.baa.org. Boston: Boston Athletic Association. Archived from the original on April 10, 2013. Retrieved March 2, 2011.
- ISBN 0-87322-491-4.
- ^ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WJP-V2H : 20 March 2015), Elizabeth Mcdermott, 03 Aug 1885; citing Death, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,373,972.
- ^ a b "AGITATION TO ABOLISH LONG RACES BECAUSE OF BRUTALITY - Marathon Races in Boston, Chicago and St. Louis Come Under Criticism on Ground That Participants Never Recover From the Strain to Which They Are Subjected by the Gruelling Contests". Elmira Gazette and Free Press. June 4, 1906. p. 3. Retrieved April 18, 2017.
- ISBN 0-02-028520-5.
- ^ Sweeney, Lawrence J (April 19, 1914). "AMERICA'S FAMOUS DISTANCE MEN MEET IN MARATHON RUN TOMORROW". The Boston Daily Globe. p. 42. Retrieved July 9, 2016.
- ^ "PREPARING FOR THE MARATHON". The Boston Daily Globe. April 11, 1909. p. 44. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
- ^ McCabe, Tom (April 17, 1927). "188 Runners, Five Behind Record, Are Already Entered in 31st American Marathon". Boston Herald. p. 32. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
- ^ Fulton, Lindsay (2017-04-17). "Crowdsourcing". Vita Brevis. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
- ^ "New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:27BT-RDN : 20 March 2015), Julia M. Fitzpatrick, 20 Nov 1905; citing Death, Manhattan, New York, New York, United States, New York Municipal Archives, New York; FHL microfilm 1,323,102.
- ISBN 0-398-03883-X.
- ^ a b "GREAT ATHLETIC EVENT - THREE NEW ONES MADE AT THE KNICKERBOCKER MEETING. Burke Lowers the World's Time for the 600-Yard Run, and Jerome Buck for the 440-Yard Hurdle - A Gallant Marathon Race over Terrible Country Roads - New Record for Discus Throwing - Big Crowd at Columbia Oval". The New York Times. September 20, 1896. p. 6. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ Farey, Hugh (July 29, 2009). "1896 Marathon". America's Running Routes. USA Track & Field. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ^ "RECORDS BROKEN AT KNICKERBOCKER MEET - Sheldon, of Yale, Threw the Discus 111 Feet 8 Inches. A REMARKABLE FEAT - Burke Ran 600 Yards in 1:11 - McDermott Won the Twenty-five-Mile Marathon Race in Good Time - Other Winners". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. September 20, 1896. p. 14. Retrieved 18 June 2016.
- ISBN 0-398-03883-X.
- ISBN 0-87322-491-4.
- ^ "RECORD TIME. J.J. McDermott Wins the "Marathon" Race. Belongs to Pastime A.C., New York. Takes Lead at Newton Lower Falls. Grant and Gray Had Led Till Then. Harvard Man Runs Pluckily After Being Overhauled. Kiernan Finishes Second and Rhell Third. Cheers for the Runners Al the Way from Ashland". The Boston Daily Globe. April 20, 1897. pp. 1, 7. Retrieved 20 Jun 2016.[permanent dead link]
- ISBN 0-87322-491-4.