The Man Who Ran Faster Than Everyone: The Story of Tom Longboat

by Jack Batten

Tom Longboat was a hero. A member of the Onondaga Nation, he was born on the Six Nations reserve in Oshwegen, near Brantford, Ontario. Despite poverty, poor training, and prejudice, Longboat went on to become one of the world’s best runners. In 1907, at the height of his fame, he won the Boston Marathon and ran in the 1908 Olympic Marathon. Longboat was one of the best-known people of his day, and certainly the most prominent member of the Six Nations. Throughout his career he had to race against opponents, as well as rumors of illegal running activities. Nevertheless, he maintained his dignity, and his achievements still inspire people who understand the great pleasure of running, and running fast.

Genres: Nonfiction

Library Binding

First published March 1, 2002

About the author

Jack Batten, after a brief and unhappy career as a lawyer, has been a very happy freelance writer for many years. The author of thirty-five books, Batten writes the weekly Whodunnit column in the Toronto Star, has reviewed jazz for the Globe and Mail, and has reviewed movies on CBC Radio for twenty-five years. He has written over thirty books on subjects that include biography, crime fiction, law and court cases, and sports. Not surprisingly, jazz, movies, and crime turn up frequently in Crang’s life. He lives in Toronto.

Reviews

[Yvonne Zipter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating biography of a Onondaga man from the Six Nations reserve in Canada who soared from poverty to the top of the running world in what was at the time a lucrative business and the racism he faced his entire life. His career was interrupted by World War I, in which he served as a runner, moving important documents from place to place on the front and where he was wounded twice. By the time he came home, the running craze that brought him to fame had receded, but he faced his reduced circumstances with grace.

[Shemique Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed learning more about Tom Longboat. As a future novel study for my intermediate students I think the history and backstory to his success is something I can turn into a research assignment. Overall, good read.