I missed this when it was uploaded a few weeks ago, but this seven-minute film about the 1928 Trans-American Footrace, aka Bunion Derby, encapsulates the amazing Route 66 sports event as well as anything you’ll likely see.
The film was produced by Osiyo TV, which is owned by the Cherokee Nation. The key link to the tribe is the winner of the race, Andy Payne of Foyil, Oklahoma, was a Cherokee.
https://youtu.be/NDVZRxrLLJ4
A clarification: It wasn’t Mojave Desert heat so much that caused one-third of the runners to drop out early in the race, but the relentless uphill slog through Cajon Pass north of San Bernardino, California. Payne said that — along with a near-blizzard near Amarillo — was the single toughest day of the race.
Vision Maker Media this week also uploaded a trailer of the film, “Great American Foot Race,” which was broadcast on PBS in 2002.
“Great American Foot Race” remains available for $1.99 for download or streaming through Amazon.
With books, the best volume about it was “C.C. Pyle’s Amazing Foot Race” by Geoff Williams, which was remarkable for its breezy, you-are-there writing. You can read my review of it here.
(Image from the 1928 Bunion Derby in Arizona by U.S. Forest Service, Southwestern Region, Kaibab National Forest. via Flickr)