Tom Longboat National Historic Person (1886-1949)

Tom Longboat was designated as a national historic person in 1976.

Historical importance: famous long distance runner, won the 1907 Boston Marathon.

Commemorative plaque: 1738 4th Line, Six Nations Grand River Reserve / Ohsweken, Ontario^{Footnote 1}

Tom Longboat (1886-1949)

This Onondaga athlete, born on the Six Nations reserve of the Grand River Iroquois, became the foremost long distance runner of his time. He followed the ancient Iroquois tradition of running, winning many races in Canada and abroad, including the Boston Marathon of 1907. He also participated in the Olympics of 1908. Competing when professional foot races were a popular attraction, he was one of the first Canadian athletes to make a living solely from sports. Retiring from competitive racing before the First World War, he later served as a despatch carrier in that conflict. He died on this reserve.