Trans-American Footrace

1928 publicity photograph of KGGM (now KNML), a "portable broadcast station" hired by C. C. Pyle, which each evening transmitted reports along the route of the race.[1]

One of the earliest twentieth century multiday races was the inaugural Trans-American Footrace, which took place in 1928 starting at Legion Ascot Speedway in Los Angeles and finishing in New York City in Madison Square Garden for a distance of 3,423.5 miles (5,509.6 km).

Out of the 199 runners who left Los Angeles on March 4, 1928, at 3:30 p.m., only 55 runners finished on May 26, 1928. The race took 84 days to run from coast to coast. Andy Payne won the event in 573 hours, 4 minutes, 34 seconds. It was called the Bunion Derby by newspapers and was also held in 1929. The race was organized by C. C. Pyle.

Johnny Salo, who finished in 2nd place in 1928 and in 1st place in 1929, became the fastest person to twice run across the continental United States in consecutive years.[2]

  1. ^ Anaconda (Montana) Standard, April 22, 1928, page 10-B.
  2. ^ "Trans America Footrace, Race results of the 'Bunion Derby'". Retrieved 2019-08-04.