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His History and Legacy
His Story: Ellison "Tarzan" Brown was a legendary marathon runner from the Narragansett Tribe of Rhode Island. Here are some highlights of his running history:
· Early Life: Born on September 22, 1913, in Westerly, Rhode Island, Brown was known for his natural athleticism and strength. He earned the nickname "Tarzan" due to his love for climbing trees and swinging from branches.
· Boston Marathon: Brown first gained attention in the Boston Marathon in 1935, where he finished thirteenth despite minimal training and wearing old sneakers, he ran the last 5 miles barefoot! He went on to win the Boston Marathon in 1936 and 19391.
· Records: He set the American men's marathon record at the 1939 Boston Marathon with a time of 2:28:51 and broke his own record at the 1940 Salisbury Beach Marathon with a time of 2:27:30.
· Olympics: Brown competed in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin and qualified for the 1940 Olympics, which were canceled due to World War II.
· Legacy: Brown is one of only two Indigenous North Americans to have won the Boston Marathon and the only one to win it more than once. He was inducted into the American Indian Athletic Hall of Fame in 1973.
Brown's achievements were remarkable, especially considering the hardships he faced growing up in poverty. His legacy continues to inspire runners today.