James Crowley (athlete)

[dubious – discuss] In 1908, Crowley won the third oldest marathon in the U.S., the Yonkers Marathon, held on Thanksgiving Day, sponsored by the Mercury Athletic Club of Yonkers, New York, "winning from a large and classy field in the excellent time of 2 hours 49 minutes 16.4 seconds.

"[1] The New York Times wrote this about the race: "Before a crowd of nearly twenty thousand uproarious enthusiasts ... James F. Crowley of the Irish American Athletic Club, crossed the tape, a winner of the biggest and probably the most spectacular event of its kind ever held in America.

"[2] On December 26, 1908, he finished second to Matthew Maloney in the marathon from Rye to Columbus Circle, New York.

[3] Maloney was reported to have set a new indoor record for the event in a time of 2:54:45.4.

[3] Approximately 110,000 spectators were reported to have turned up to see 180 runners compete in the New Jersey Athletic Club Marathon on May 15, 1909.