An obscure figure of the Bunion Derby

The Seattle Post-Intelligencer today published an excellent story about Ed Gardner, one of the runners in the 3,400-mile transcontinental footrace, famously called the Bunion Derby, that took place on Route 66.

As many Route 66ers know, Oklahoma native Andy Payne won the race and its $25,000 prize. But few know of Gardner, who was one of five black entrants and the only one who contended.

Runners had to deal with heat, cold, primitive conditions, a grueling pace and oncoming traffic. Gardner had to deal with all that and more:

In McLean, Texas, an angry white mob surrounded his tent and threatened to burn it. In Western Oklahoma, a farmer with a shotgun rode a mule behind him all day threatening to shoot if Gardner passed a white man.

“Later (the man) who won the race was talking to a historical group and said Ed could have easily won the race if he didn’t have so many followers in each town,” said Geoff Williams, an Ohio-based Bunion Derby historian, noting he was also slowed by adoring fans.

Gardner told the P-I he dined on washtubs of beans and used whatever shoes he could get. He went through 14 pairs.

“I can’t imagine doing that now,” said Seattle runner Phil Kochik, who last year was ranked among the nation’s top five ultra marathon runners. “Most people don’t run more than 10 hours in a day.”

Even though he won more stages than any runner, Gardner finished eighth.  He split his $2,500 prize money with two sports promoters.

After his running days were over, Gardner worked as a repairman at a Seattle shipyard and as a janitor. He died in 1966.

If you want to read more about Gardner and the Bunion Derby, read Geoff Williiams’ excellent book, “C.C. Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race.” My review of the book is here.

One thought on “An obscure figure of the Bunion Derby

  1. MY NAME IS CHARLES TORBETT.I WAS BORN IN 1928-THE YEAR OF THE BUNION DERBY. MY FOLKS STARTED CALLING ME “ANDY”. I GUESS BECAUSE I WAS TAKING A FEW STEPS THAT YEAR??
    I LIVE I OKLAHOMA AND BORN IN APRIL–THE MONTH ANDY PAYNE WENT THRU THIS STATE.
    “ANDY”

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