Indigenous Peoples’ Day

This year's Boston Marathon shares its race date with Indigenous Peoples' Day, a holiday which celebrates and honors Native American culture and tradition. Among some of the most notable runners in the race, history are three athletes with Indigenous heritage. Ellison Brown of the Narragansett Indian Tribe won the 1936 and 1939 Boston Marathons. Brown, of Alton, R.I., famously played a key role in how Heartbreak Hill got its name. After holding the lead through the Newton hills, Brown was caught by a charging Johnny Kelley. As Kelley prepared to pass Brown, he patted him on the back — a gesture that stirred Brown's competitive spirit. Brown ultimately broke Kelley's heart and dashed his hopes of winning, which led Boston Globe editor Jerry Nason to coin the term "Heartbreak Hill."

Ellison Brown

Billy Mills, Rob de Castella, and Patti Dillon

Thomas Longboat of the Onondaga First Nation in Hamilton, Ontario, is also a champion with Indigenous roots, having won the 1907 race in 2:24:24. In his one and only Boston, Longboat claimed victory by 3 minutes, 30 seconds. 

One of the most dominant American runners throughout the 1970s and 1980s was Patti Dillon, a three-time runner-up in Boston and member of the Federation Mi’kmaq Tribe. Patti was the first American woman ever to break 2:30 in the marathon, and often can be found around Boston on race weekend. In 2016, Dillon and Olympic gold medalist Billy Mills (Oglala Lakota Sioux Nation) were celebrated by the B.A.A. as part of a program which connects young native runners to mentors within the sport. The B.A.A. annually partners with WINGS of America to provide educational and athletic opportunities for Native American student-athletes from around the country.

Banners in Boston

Keep an eye out throughout Boston for banners celebrating 125 years of Boston Marathon history. Each year, the City of Boston recognizes the Boston Marathon by displaying commemorative banners throughout the city, including along Boylston Street. 

This year’s Boston Marathon Banners feature many distinguished champions such as Bill Rodgers, Des Linden, Jean Driscoll, Clarence DeMar, Joan Benoit Samuelson, as well as Boston Marathon icons Rick and Dick Hoyt. In honor and celebration of the marathon’s Indigenous history, Ellison Brown and Patti Dillon are also featured.

Many of the earliest Boston Marathon banner images come from the distinguished Leslie Jones Collection through the Boston Public Library. See how many different banners you can spot while in Boston!