John Hayes

John J. Hayes was an American marathon runner who became famous for winning the marathon at the 1908 Summer Olympics in London. His victory was not only remarkable for the race itself but also because it followed a dramatic and controversial sequence of events that led to his becoming an Olympic champion.

Early Life and Background
Birth and Early Life:
John Joseph Hayes was born on April 10, 1886, in New York City, into an Irish-American family. Growing up in the bustling streets of New York, Hayes developed an early interest in running and joined local athletic clubs to nurture his talent.
Hayes worked as a clerk at the Bloomingdale Brothers department store, where he became involved in amateur athletics through the company’s athletic association. This connection would eventually lead to his participation in competitive long-distance running.

Running Career and the 1908 Olympics
Amateur Running Career:
Hayes began his competitive running career in local races and quickly established himself as a talented long-distance runner. He became known for his endurance and determination, qualities that would later serve him well in marathon races.
Before the 1908 Olympics, Hayes had won several marathon races in the United States, including the prestigious Yonkers Marathon in 1907, which helped to secure his place on the American Olympic team.

1908 London Olympics:
The marathon at the 1908 London Olympics was one of the most memorable and controversial events in Olympic history. The race was originally set at 26 miles, but the course was extended to 26 miles and 385 yards so that the race could start at Windsor Castle and finish in front of the royal box at the White City Stadium. This distance later became the standard length for marathons.
Hayes was one of 56 runners who started the race on July 24, 1908. The weather was warm, and the conditions were challenging, with many runners struggling to finish the race.

The Dramatic Finish:
The Italian runner Dorando Pietri was the first to enter the stadium, but he was visibly exhausted and disoriented. Pietri collapsed several times as he tried to complete the final lap around the track. Race officials, eager to see him finish, helped him to his feet and guided him across the finish line in first place.
However, after a protest from the American team, Pietri was disqualified for receiving assistance, and John Hayes, who had finished second, was declared the winner. Hayes completed the marathon in a time of 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 18 seconds.

Legacy of the 1908 Marathon:
Hayes’s victory became an iconic moment in Olympic history. The drama surrounding the race, especially Pietri’s collapse and subsequent disqualification, captured the imagination of the public and was widely covered in the media.
Hayes’s win helped to popularize marathon running in the United States and internationally. The 26 miles and 385 yards distance of the 1908 marathon became the official marathon distance at the 1924 Olympics in Paris.

Later Life and Legacy
Post-Olympic Career:
After his Olympic victory, Hayes continued to compete in long-distance running and participated in various marathons and races across the United States. His Olympic fame brought him some recognition, but like many athletes of his time, he did not achieve financial success from his sports career.
Hayes retired from competitive running in the early 1910s but remained involved in the sport as a coach and promoter.

Recognition:
Hayes’s Olympic victory is remembered as a significant moment in the history of marathon running. His perseverance and determination in the 1908 race are often cited as examples of the endurance and spirit required to succeed in marathon events.
He was later honored by various athletic organizations, and his legacy lives on as one of the early pioneers of long-distance running in the United States.

Death:
John J. Hayes passed away on August 25, 1965, in Englewood, New Jersey, at the age of 79. He left behind a legacy as one of America’s earliest and most memorable Olympic champions.

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