Clarence DeMar

Clarence DeMar was an American long-distance runner and one of the most dominant marathon athletes of the early 20th century. He is best known for his record seven victories at the Boston Marathon, a feat that stood for decades. DeMar also won a bronze medal in the marathon at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris and was a prominent figure in the Amateur Athletic Union. His career spanned an era of significant growth for the sport in the United States.

Early life and education

Clarence DeMar was born in Madeira, Ohio, but his family moved to the Boston area following the death of his father. He attended Vermont Academy before enrolling at the University of Vermont, though he left before graduating. DeMar later completed his education at the Harvard University Extension School while working as a printer and lithographer. His early running was largely self-coached, and he first entered the Boston Marathon in 1910, finishing second, which launched his storied career in the sport.

Running career

DeMar's running career was remarkable for its longevity and success across major American races. He was a frequent competitor in events sanctioned by the Amateur Athletic Union and won numerous national championships. Beyond his marathon prowess, he was also a competitive cross country runner. His training methods, which included high mileage, were considered unorthodox at the time but proved highly effective. DeMar's dedication to the sport continued even after he was initially advised to stop running due to a suspected heart murmur, a diagnosis he famously ignored.

Boston Marathon victories

Clarence DeMar's legacy is inextricably linked to the Boston Marathon, which he won a record seven times between 1911 and 1930. His victories came in 1911, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1927, 1928, and 1930. His 1911 win was particularly notable as it came amidst the controversy of his alleged heart condition. DeMar's success on the challenging course from Hopkinton to Boston helped elevate the event's prestige and inspired generations of American distance runners.

Later life and legacy

After retiring from elite competition, DeMar remained active in running and the broader athletic community. He served as a track coach at Keene State College and also at the University of New Hampshire. DeMar authored an influential running manual titled *Marathon*, sharing his training philosophies. He was inducted into the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the USA Track & Field Hall of Fame. The Clarence DeMar Marathon, held annually in New Hampshire, is named in his honor, as is the DeMar Children's Center at Dartmouth–Hitchcock Medical Center.

Personal life

Clarence DeMar was married to Margaret W. C. DeMar and the couple had three children. He balanced his athletic career with his profession as a lithographer and later as a teacher. A devout Congregationalist, DeMar was also a Sunday school teacher and an active member of his church in Melrose, Massachusetts. He died of cancer in Reading, Massachusetts in 1958, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of America's pioneering marathon legends.

Category:American male marathon runners Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the United States in athletics Category:Boston Marathon winners