Albert Campbell District Blog

(Credit: Tom Longboat with the Ward Marathon Trophy, 1907. “T. Longboat, the Canadian runner. Standing (HS85-10-18314).jpg” – Canadian Copyright Collection held by the British Library. – This image is in the public domain.)

(Credit: “T Longboat, the Canadian runner Running (HS85-10-18315).jpg” , 1907 – Canadian Copyright Collection held by the British Library. – This image is in the public domain.)

Consider the following audio clips from the CBC Digital Archives:

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Sports/Digital%2BArchives/Athletics/ID/1766227957/

(Credit: CBC Digital Archives – Marathon runner Tom 'Wildfire' Longboat; Medium: Radio; Program: Our Native Land; Broadcast Date: Oct. 8, 1977; Guest(s): Wilton Littlechild; Host: Bob Charlie; Duration: 4:06)

http://www.cbc.ca/player/Sports/Digital%2BArchives/Athletics/ID/1767225025/

(Credit: CBC Digital Archives – Tom Longboat's heirs fight for an unpaid athletics prize: Tom Longboat Jr. explains why the City of Toronto owes his family $10,000; Medium: Radio; Program: Our Native Land; Broadcast Date: March 29, 1980; Guest(s): Tom Longboat Jr.; Duration: 4:08)

On January 9 and beyond, take a moment to remember the life and accomplishments of Canadian long-distance runner Tom Longboat (Thomas Charles Longboat) (Aboriginal name: Cogwagee) (Born: June 4, 1887 at Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation Reserve, Brantford, Ontario; Died: January 9, 1949 at Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation Reserve, Brantford, Ontario). Longboat was a member of the Onondaga people, one of the constituent nations of the Iroquois Confederacy. Prior to World War One, Tom Longboat had several major victories to his credit including the Hamilton “Around the Bay” in 1906, the Boston Marathon in 1907, the Toronto Ward’s Marathon from 1906-1908, and the World’s Professional Marathon Championship in 1909 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Unfortunately, Longboat was less successful at the 1908 London Olympics as he collapsed at the 19-mile mark and did not complete the race. His coaches and promoters often disagreed with his training method of alternating hard workout periods with active rest. However, his results improved after he bought up his own contract in 1911; in 1912, Longboat set a professional record of running 15 miles (= 24.1402 kilometres) in 1 hour 18 minutes and 10 seconds, besting his own amateur record by 7 minutes.

In February 1916, Tom Longboat enlisted with the 107^th Pioneer Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF) to serve as a dispatch runner.  Longboat was wounded twice and once erroneously officially declared dead but was able to compete in the 1918 Canadian Corps Dominion Day competitions in which he won'the 8-mile (13-kilometre) race. After the First World War, Tom Longboat retired from professional running and moved to Toronto where he worked as a City of Toronto garbage collector until he retired in 1944 and returned to the Six Nations of the Grand River First Nation Reserve where he ultimately died from pneumonia in early 1949. Tom Longboat was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame in 1955.

Consider the following titles for borrowing from Toronto Public Library collections: 

Showdown at Shepherd's Bush : the 1908 Olympic marathon and the three runners who launched a sporting craze / David Davis, 2012. Book. Adult Non-Fiction. 796.4252 DAV

Read this exciting account of the 1908 Olympic marathon that pitted Tom Longboat and Italian Dorando Pietri (disqualified for being helped over the finish line) against the eventual winner, Irish American Johnny Hayes.  

Tom Longboat / Terry Barber, 2007. Book. Adult Literacy Learner Reading. 796.42409 LON BAR

Those seeking to improve their English language reading skills can enjoy reading about the exploits of Canadian long-distance runner Tom Longboat.  

The man who ran faster than everyone: the story of Tom Longboat / Jack Batten, 2002. Book. Children’s Non-Fiction. J 796.42409 LON BAT

Author and Journalist Batten outlined many obstacles that Tom Longboat faced to rise to the pinnacle of long-distance running, including racism, rumours of alcohol abuse, and a questionable training regimen. This book is intended for a reading audience of Grade 6 and above.

Also available in Talking Book (Restricted to PRINT DISABLED patrons) format.  

Tom Longboat [rev. ed.] / Bruce Kidd, 2004. Book. Adult Non-Fiction. 796.42409 LON KID

Academic and long-distance runner Bruce Kidd examined the challenges facing Tom Longboat as well as his accomplishments within the context of Canadian social history, including racism.

For the 1992 edition of this book (Children’s Non-Fiction), please click here.

For the 1980 edition of this book (Children’s Non-Fiction), please click here.