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Frederick Lorz

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Fred Lorz
Lorz in 1904
Personal information
Full nameFrederick G. Lorz
BornJune 5, 1884
New York, New York, U.S.
DiedFebruary 4, 1914(1914-02-04) (aged 29)
Bronx, New York, U.S.
Sport
CountryUnited States
EventMarathon

Frederick Lorz (June 5, 1884 – February 4, 1914) was an American long distance runner who won the 1905 Boston Marathon.[1] Lorz is also known for his "finish" in the marathon at the 1904 Summer Olympics, where he did not cross the halfway mark of the race, and crossed the line to be hailed as the winner.[2]

Biography

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Born in New York City, Lorz was reported to have done all his training at night due to his profession as a bricklayer.[1]

An announcement in the August 6, 1904, issue of The New York Times indicated that the Metropolitan Association of the Amateur Athletic Union would hold a "special seven-mile race" at Celtic Park on August 13, 1904, with the eight top finishers receiving a paid trip to compete in the marathon at the Olympic Games in St. Louis on August 30, 1904.[3] Lorz, listed as representing the Mohawk Athletic Club, was named as one of 19 "probable competitors" in the event.[3]

In the marathon at the 1904 Olympic Games, Lorz stopped running because of exhaustion after nine miles (14.5 km). His manager gave him a lift in his car and drove the next eleven miles (17.7 km) before the car broke down, after which Lorz continued on foot back to the Olympic stadium, where he broke the finishing line tape and was greeted as the winner.

After spectators claimed he had not run the entire race, Lorz was confronted by furious officials with these allegations, upon which he admitted his deception: despite his claims he was playing a practical joke, the AAU responded by banning him for life, but this was commuted to six months on February 19, 1905, after Lorz formally apologized and it was found that he had not intended to defraud. Lorz then legitimately won the Boston Marathon in 1905 with a time of 2:38:25.[4][5] Thomas Hicks was the actual winner of the 1904 Olympic marathon, though he too had an unusual race, walking part of the route, being carried by his trainers, and being dosed with strychnine, which has since been banned; among the 32 runners that started, he was one of several who came near death, along with William Garcia.[6][7]

Lorz was suspended a second time by the Amateur Athletic Union for participating in an unsanctioned meet at the games of the Thomas Jefferson Club at Witzel's Grove, College Point, Long Island, New York on August 23, 1905.[8] His application for reinstatement was denied; he was originally required to wait two years before applying for reinstatement,[9] but he was reinstated in time to run the 1906 Chicago Marathon, where he finished fourth. He finished second at the Yonkers Marathon in 1907, seventh at the Boston Marathon in 1908, sixth at the Empire City Marathon in Yonkers in 1909, and second in another marathon in Boston nine days later.

In 1910 he married Dorothy Reilly, and they had three children. Lorz died in 1914 of pneumonia.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "A New Marathon Champion: Frederick Lorz of the Mohawk Athletic Club of New York Captured the Great Run in an Exciting Contest". Boston Evening Transcript. Boston. April 20, 1905. p. 4. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  2. ^ "Frederick Lorz". Olympedia. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  3. ^ a b "WILL RUN FOR ST. LOUIS TRIP. Eight Best Men in Race to Go to World's Fair for Big Event" (pdf). The New York Times. New York. August 6, 1904. Retrieved May 14, 2012.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ Boston Athletic Association. "Past Mens Open Champions Archived April 27, 2015, at the Wayback Machine". Accessed 25 July 2012.
  5. ^ "The Worst of the Modern Olympics Was Held ... ?". Newsday. 27 August 2004. Retrieved 2004-08-27.
  6. ^ Miller, Mike. 30 August 2004. "Olympics flashback: 1904 marathon a joke of a race". Accessed 8 August 2006. [dead link‍]
  7. ^ Gettings, John. FactMonster. "Lorz of the Rings". Accessed 5 August 2006.
  8. ^ "Amateur Athletes Disqualified," The New York Times, August 25, 1905, p. 4; "A. A. U. SUSPENDS ATHLETES First Meeting of New Committee -- Irish Runner Disqualified." September 26, 1905, p. 10.
  9. ^ A. A. U. DROPS DISTRICT, MAKING NEW ALLOTMENT; Atlantic Association Expelled at annual Meeting of Delegates. ECKERSALL IS REINSTATED - President Maccabe Arraigns Former Georgetown Sprinter, A. F. Duffey -- Lorz Must Wait Two Years." The New York Times, November 21, 1905, p. 10.
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