Trans-American Footrace
One of the earliest twentieth century multiday races was the inaugural Trans-American Footrace, which took place in 1928 starting at Legion Ascot Speedway in Los Angeles and finishing in New York City in Madison Square Garden for a distance of 3,423.5 miles.
Out of the 199 runners who left Los Angeles, California on March 4, 1928 at 3:30 p.m., only 55 runners finished on May 26, 1928. The race took 84 days to run from coast to coast. It was called the Bunion Derby by newspapers and was also held in 1929. Runners included Paul Hardrock Simpson and Andy Payne who won the event in 573 hours, 4 minutes, 34 seconds. The race was organized by C. C. Pyle.
Harry Abrams, who arrived in 11th place, repeated the feat in the opposite direction in 1929 (he came 9th), becoming the first and possibly the only person to twice run across the continental United States.[1]
Recent races
A coast-to-coast race has taken place several times since including four races organized by Jessie Dale Riley & Michael Kenney 1992-95. Alan Firth organised two events in 2002 and 2004.
In 2011 ultrarunner Serge Girard planned a new edition running from Los Angeles to New York starting June 19 and lasting for 70 days.
On May 20, 2012, ultrarunner John Pyle completed a run from San Francisco, CA to Key West FL. His run began on February 29, 2012.[2]
On August 18, 2012 ultrarunner Jennifer Bradley[3] of Britain became the second British woman to cross America but the first to run and make it in 80 days during the Run Across America on Trail 2012.[4] Her trip started May 31, 2012 at Twin Harbors State Park in Washington and she was on the trail 720 hours 26.7 minutes.[5]
Also on August 18, 2012 ultrarunner Mike Samuelson[6] of Tennessee completed the same Run Across America on Trail 2012 of 3303 miles at Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware on a journey that had started May 31, 2012 with 4 runners. He was on trail 719 hours 47.2 minutes.[5]
On June 2, 2015 British ultra runner Robert HP Young [7] won the 2015 Trans-American Footrace with a time of 482 hours 10 minutes. [8] The race started in Huntington Beach, California and took the southern route on both Road and trail to Chesapeake Bay with a total distance of 3131 miles.
References
- Williams, Geoff "C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race: The True Story of the 1928 Coast-to-Coast Run Across America" July 10, 2007 ISBN 1-59486-319-9
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