Joe Smith (athlete)

Joe Smith
Personal information
Birth name Bernard Joseph Smith
Nationality Amercain
Born 1917 (1917)
Medford, Massachusetts
Died (aged 77)
Pembroke Pines, Florida
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 257 lb (117 kg)
Medal record
World Marathon Majors
1942 Boston Marathon

Bernard Joseph Smith (1917 — 25 January 1993) was an American marathon runner. He was the winner of the 1942 Boston Marathon with a course record of 2:26:51. His record lasted for five years until it was broken by 1947 Boston Marathon winner Suh Yun-bok. At Boston, Smith came in fifth place at the 1941 and 1949 marathons. Outside of Boston, he won the 1941 USA Marathon Championships at the Yonkers Marathon.

Early life

In 1917, Smith was born in Medford, Massachusetts.

Career

Smith was a milkman before he began marathon running in 1940. His first World Marathon Majors races were at the 1940 and 1941 Boston Marathon.[1] In 1941, he won the USA Marathon Championships during the Yonkers Marathon.[2] The following year, Smith wanted to sit out the 1942 Boston Marathon while he recuperated from the flu. After his wife convinced him to compete, Smith won the marathon and set a course record of 2:26:51.[3] Smith stopped running in 1942 when he enlisted to the United States Coast Guard and served three years during World War II.[1]

Upon his return from the war, Smith did not compete from 1945 to 1946 and resumed running at the 1947 Boston Marathon.[4] Smith did not finish the 1947 Boston marathon while his five year course record was broken by winner Suh Yun-bok.[5] In the following Boston races, he did not finish in 1948 and placed in 5th at his last marathon in 1949.[1] Outside of Boston, Smith was runnerup in the 1947 Western Hemisphere Marathon.[6] He also came in 5rh at the 1959 Yonkers Marathon and ran at the 1949 Western Hemisphere Marathon.[7] After ending his marathon career, Smith continued working as a milkman until 1957. Smith moved on work for a post office for three decades before retiring in 1987.[8]

Achievements

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  United States
1940 Boston Marathon Boston, United States 19th Marathon
1941 Boston Marathon Boston, United States 5th Marathon
1942 Boston Marathon Boston, United States 1st Marathon 2:26:51
1947 Boston Marathon Boston, United States DNF Marathon
1948 Boston Marathon Boston, United States DNF Marathon
1949 Boston Marathon Boston, United States 5th Marathon 2:38:30

Personal life

Smith was married and had three children.[8]

Death

Smith died on 25 January 1993 in Pembroke Pines, Florida.[8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gardner, Darlene H. (15 May 1987). "1942 Marathon Win Knocked `em Over". Fort Lauderdale News/Sun-Sentinel. p. SW31. Retrieved 2 September 2018.
  2. ↑ "Joe Smith Latest Entry in BAA Run". Boston Globe. 6 April 1942. p. 8.
  3. ↑ "Urged by Wife to Compete, Milkman Wins Marathon". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. 20 April 1942. p. 15.
  4. ↑ "Joe Smith Returns To Boston Marathon Race". Waco-News Tribune. 19 April 1947. p. 6.
  5. ↑ "Korean Sets Record in Boston Marathon". Baltimore Sun. 20 April 1947. p. S1.
  6. ↑ Robb, Sharon (20 April 1992). "In `42, Winner Got No Bread - Just Some Stew". Boston Globe. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  7. ↑ Nason, Jerry (13 April 1979). "The day 'Plain Joe' wasn't so plain". Sports Plus. Boston Globe. p. 9.
  8. 1 2 3 Griffith, Bill (27 January 1993). "Bernard Joseph Smith, at 77; winner of 1942 Boston Marathon". Boston Globe. p. 45.
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