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			THE GREAT AMERICAN FOOT RACE

Tell us what you think about THE GREAT AMERICAN FOOT RACE.

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01/07/2009

My mother was born in Claremore OK and knew the Andy Payne. Her father, Tom Dennis, gathered his family in wagon and went to see Andy run through town. I have the Claremore Progress photo of him. It was a very thrilling race for the local people who loved Andy Payne. I have the photo on my Route 66 website. Thank you for the information you have here for people to read. It was a time when people needed a hero. The depression hit Oklahoma hard. thanks again, Bev Kendall

09/06/2007
Sisters, OR

I just finished reading the book, C.C. Pyle\'s Amazing Foot Race, written by Geoff Williams. It is about the 1928 version of Pyle\'s race. Wow! Very fascinating and intriguing to read about all who were involved in this adventure across the country. If you\'ve researched this event this far, you\'re obviously interesed in it. I highly recommend reading this book. The author does a great job of following the race and giving biographies of many of those involved. Great read.

11/17/2006
Scott Von Flue
Fresno/Kerman California

My grandfather ran the Bunion Derby and finished 9TH. I still have a copy of his 48 page journal that was posted in the Fresno Bee in 1928. The articles ran daily for 19 days and told his story of running in the greatest foot race of all time. Anyone interested in reading the articles can e-mail me and I will print you a copy and ship it to you for the printing and shipping charges only. It's a great story and very interesting. It gives more detail then this great great website. Scott Von Flue

05/23/2006

I am reading a book to my 5th graders at Holy Cross Lutheran School in Wichita, Kansas about the Great Bunion Race my Molly Levite Griffis. It is a children's book, but I think many adults would enjoy reading it. I took my class to visit Molly down in Norman, Oklahoma to visit her. She is really a nice person. My students just loved her. I am really enjoying reading the book to my students. Ted Helmer

05/20/2006
Christine Chester
England

Hi, Does anyone know if Flanagan's run was every turned into a film and release? If sso can you get a copy anywhere. Thanks

09/12/2005
Craig Hopkins
Owensboro, Ky

I just found your website and hope to see the movie. Back in the 70's four of us from here went to Hurley, Wis to run the Paavo Nurmi. marathon. We met and talked with a participant in the "Bunion Derby". I can't remember his name, but I suspect that it was Billy Enrizzi, and he still ran 10 mile of the marathon and then into the finish. A local hero. I wish that I had had more time to talk with him.

09/12/2005
Craig Hopkins
Owensboro, Ky

Deborah Lawson was looking for the book about the Great American Footrace. I think that what she is looking for is FLANAGAN'S RUN by Tom McNab. It was published by William Morrow and Company, 105 Madison Ave. New York 10016. I believe it was published in 1982.

04/28/2005
terri lovell tyree
terri@tyreeagency.com
Kansas City/MO

Andy Payne was my great uncle. I have always been fascinated by his amazing accomplishment. 20 years ago there was little information available other than family photos and family member's recollections. So,I decided to devote a little time and energy to the project. I researched and pulled up all the New York Times articles written for the 80 plus days of the race and followed the news event from start to finish. Every runner is documented. Because Andy was a real contender in the race, I particularly enjoyed reading his direct quotes as the press interviewed him. My memories of Andy began when he was in his 50's. I delighted in remembering his voice and reading his direct quotes. I would highly recommend taking that trip back in history. It was time well spent and very informative.

04/15/2005
gina
gina@designinghealth.com
Valencia Calif.

Id Like to start off and say how PROUD i am of my family history. and as for C.C. Pyle i am very proud to be related to him, i also have a great uncle named Harry Pollard who was a big movie producer back in the day, one of his movies that he produced was Uncle Toms Cabin in the 1920's and my great aunt Margarita Fischer Pollard stared in it as Liza, she was also a den mother for the flying aero squadrin and a memeber of the red cross in world war one, and she also dontaed to other charities, am i proud of course i am, who wouldnt be interested in history exspecially if its your family roots. And for my grandmother the greatest women who was ever born, who raised me and talked to me about how she was a child star growing up and how hard it was to go to a dozen diffrent schools and having to act as a child star had to be tough back in the late 1900,s, and my grandmother might have died broke hearted in a small trailer, poor in 1986. Am I proud?

04/15/2005
gina
gina@designinghealth.com
valenicia calif

as for my family its been hard, ive been divorced from a man for 10 years who doesnt think its right to help out raising his 6 children, i have 5 living with me and one in a group home in which i pay child support i also have a sick father living with me with advanced emphysema, and i live pay check to pay check. The kids and i dont have the chance to get out to see a movie or go out to sit and eat dinner, we dont go on vacations either, we might be poor but we are PROUD of who we are and always wiil be even if C.C. Pyle who is in history books is my great grandfather. My friend from 4-11-05 you sound like a bitter man are you proud of who you are?

04/11/2005

To those who are concerned with relatives not named in the documentary... How far should it go with names. Was Andy Payne's relatives named? The list goes on and on. I studied this race extensively, and would not be so proud of CC Pyle. He was a huckster who exploited the runners in everyway imaginable. Didn't house or feed them as promised. None or poor medical treatment and to top it off, made a pathetic attempt to wring every cent he could from their depleted bodies, by after the actual race was over, making them run in circles around a track in the new Madison Square Garden for hours on end. Then he never had the money he promised the runners and was saved by a friend who lent him the purse money or he would have cheated the runners who gave their all. Who, except you, would care about his ancestors.

02/27/2005
Fred Saperstein
f.saperstein@att.net
Las Vegas, Nevada

My father Morris Saperstein ran in this race and dropped out in Danby do to swollen arches. How many miles did he run? Where is Danby? I am his son and I never knew this until he passed away on Feb 20th, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. He was 98 years old. Any other living relatives or runners that still may be alive that knew my dad I would like to hear from.

02/27/2005
Fred Saperstein
f.saperstein@att.net
Las Vegas, Nevada

To Dan M. Shoreline (Wahington) I was told that the promotors of the race who put up the $25,000 may not pay off and was told my dad didn't want to finish the race when he quit in Danby and claimed he had swollen arches. The promotors were trying to get sponsors and get all the money and not pay off at the finish. Anyone having any information as to the payoff and was the money really there please let me know?

01/24/2005
Karen Yerian
dyerian@adelphia.net
ohio

I have a program from the 1929 Foot Race, and looking for info on selling. Also, noticed a great granddaughter had comments, with the last name of Laihtinen, my maiden name was Lahtinen, any connection? Also, someone asked about a Walter Rickets, I do not see that name in the 1929 program.

10/08/2004
Dan M.

Shoreline, WA

I echo the comments below: who were the finishers, especially the money winners? Re: the Web site. I kept looking for previous and back links in the autobiographies. Difficult to navigate through them, esp. with separate place for featured runners. I researched PBS.org for the video and couldn't find it there. Saw the info about buying it here. Making inquiries about price and so on. Also disappointed that it is not scheduled to be rebroadcast by itvs. I'm glad this is documented. I can't imagine running that distance (averaged 40 miles) 80 days straight. It is just hard to imagine. I am a runner and have some small conception of this feat.

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