| Competition: | 1897 Boston Marathon |
| Date: | April 19, 1897 (Patriots' Day) |
| Venue: | Ashland to Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Competitors: | 15 |
| Men: | John McDermott |
| Men Win Value: | 2:55:10 |
| Next: | 1898 |
The 1897 Boston Marathon was the inaugural edition of the marathon race that became known as the Boston Marathon. At the time it was run, the race was not known by a proper name. It took place on April 19, 1897, and was run from Ashland to Boston, Massachusetts, over a distance of 24.5mile.
A contemporary report in The Boston Globe stated 15 runners competed in the race, although 18 entrants were listed.[1] The Boston Athletic Association states there were 15 runners.[2]
| Position | Athlete | Representing | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pastime A.C., New York | 2:55:10 | ||
| 2 | J. J. Kiernan | St. Bartholomew A.C., New York | 3:02:02 | |
| 3 | E. P. Rhell | 3:06:02 | ||
| 4 | Hamilton Gray | St. George A.C., New York | 3:11:37 | |
| 5 | H. T. Eggleston | Pastime A.C., New York | 3:17:50 | |
| 6 | James Mason | Star A.C., New York | 3:31:00 | |
| 7 | W. Ryan | South Boston A.A. | 3:41:25 | |
| 8 | 4:06:12 | |||
| 9 | Harry Leonard | 4:08:00 | ||
| 10 | A. T. Howe | 4:10:00 |
Dick Grant of Harvard also ran in the race, but was one of multiple entrants who did not finish.