James Clark (athlete)

James A. Clark (?? - ??) was an American long-distance runner who is recognized as having set a world's best in the marathon on February 12, 1909 with a time of 2:46:52 at the Brooklyn Marathon.[nb 1][nb 2] According to the New York Times, Clark also set an American record in a 20-mile race on November 14, 1909 (1:57:27 3-5).[5]

For other sportspeople of this name, see James Clark (disambiguation).

Approximately 110,000 spectators were reported to have turned out to see 180 runners compete in the New Jersey Athletic Club Marathon.[6] With "scorching heat" noted to have affected many of the athletes, Clark recorded a time of 3:22:07 that was good enough for third place behind James Crowley of the Irish American Athletic Club and Harry Jensen of the Pastime Athletic Club.[6]

On October 12, 1909, Clark competed in a fifteen-mile run described as the "feature event" Columbus Day games organized by the Emerald Athletic Club in Westchester, New York.[7] He placed third behind Jensen and F.P Devlin of the Mott Haven Athletic Club.[7]

On November 27, 1909, Clark finished seventh in the third edition of the Yonkers Marathon (3:01:21).[8] He ran for the Xaiver Athletic Club and was later elected the President of the Long Island Athletic Club.[9][10][11]

Notes
  1. According to the progression of world bests listed by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), James Clark set a world best of 2:46:52.8 in New York on February 12, 1909, Albert Raines broke Clark's mark with a 2:46:04.6 in New York on May 8, 1909, and Henry Barrett broke Raines' mark with a 2:42:31.0 in London on May 26, 1909.[1] Ian Ridpath, a former director of the Polytechnic marathon, has indicated on his website that some sources have wrongly listed the date of Barrett performance as May 26, 1909 and has confirmed the true date as May 8, 1909.[2] An article in The Times dated May 10, 1909 provides strong evidence that Ridpath is correct.[3] Given that Barrett's marathon in London most likely concluded before Raines' marathon held on the same date in New York, it is also likely that Barrett rather than Raines broke the world best set by Clark three months earlier.
  2. Spalding's Official Athletic Almanac for 1910 indicates that name of the marathon both as the "Thirteenth Regiment A.A. Marathon" and also as the "Brooklyn Sea-Gate (Coney Island) Marathon Race"(p. 208).[4]

References
  1. "12th IAAF World Championships In Athletics: IAAF Statistics Handbook. Berlin 2009" (PDF). Monte Carlo: IAAF Media & Public Relations Department. 2009. p. 565. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 29, 2011. Retrieved November 3, 2009.
  2. http://www.ianridpath.com/polymarathon/history.htm
  3. http://www.ianridpath.com/polymarathon/1909Timesreport.jpg
  4. Sullivan, J.E., ed. (1910), "Marathon Road Races", Spalding's Official Athletic Almanac for 1910, Group XII. No. 1, New York: American Sports Publishing Co., pp. 95, 208
  5. "CLARK MAKES NEW AMERICAN RECORD; Xavier Athlete Covers Twenty Miles Over Celtic Park Track in 1:58:27 3-5." (PDF), New York Times, p. 10, November 15, 1909, retrieved May 7, 2010
  6. "110,000 SEE N.J. MARATHON; GREAT TURNOUT FOR JERSEY CITY RUN" (PDF). The New York Sun. New York. May 16, 1909. p. 11. Retrieved May 18, 2012.
  7. "HARRY JENSEN WINS FIFTEEN-MILE RUN; Crack Athlete of Pastime A.C. Takes Feature Race at Emerald Games. HANRAHAN'S NOVICE EVENT L. Weinberg of Mott Haven Athletic Club Leads Field in the One-Mile Handicap Walk" (pdf). The New York Times. New York. October 13, 1909. Retrieved May 15, 2012.
  8. "MARATHON VICTORY FOR HARRY JENSEN; Finishes First in Yonkers Event With a Half Mile Advantage. SHERIDAN RUNS SECOND Leads for Twenty-three Miles, When Pastime Athlete Overhauls Him -- Winner's Time, 2:46:43 1-5" (pdf). The New York Times. New York. November 28, 1909. Retrieved May 6, 2012.
  9. "E.H. WHITE TAKES MARATHON HONORS; Holy Cross Lyceum Runner Leads Field by Half a Mile at the Finish." (PDF), New York Times, p. 7, February 23, 1909, retrieved May 7, 2010
  10. "CROWLEY WINS DERBY ON FLATBUSH TRACK; Irish-American A.C. Runner Finishes Marathon Race Good and Strong." (PDF), New York Times, p. S3, May 30, 1909, retrieved May 7, 2010
  11. "LONG ISLAND A.L. ELECTION.; James Clark, Marathon Runner, Chosen President." (PDF), New York Times, p. 9, March 28, 1916, retrieved May 7, 2010
Records
Preceded by
Robert Fowler		 Men's Marathon World Record Holder
February 12, 1909 – May 8, 1909*
(*see explanation in the Notes section)		 Succeeded by
Albert Raines
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