H95.18.1019

Clipping on back reads, "May 22, 1949-Here we have the start of the 10th annual Tribune marathon about the shores of Lake Merritt in 1922. There were 177 starters that year, and 146 of them finished. G. Gadberry, of Richmond was the winner in 18 minutes, four and three-tenth seconds. John Soracco finished second and Wayne Fox, third." Photo also used February 21, 1974. Photo shows runners, an African American man leading the pack of runners. Automobiles parked at the side of the road, and two boys on bicycles on the other side of the runners. Annual Year Book from the Oakland Tribune, 1923: "Tribune Marathon--Another record was established in the running of the Tenth Annual Tribune Lake Merritt Marathon when 318 runners started on the trot around the Lake on Admission Day [September 9]. The course this year was less severe than in former races, being but once around the Lake instead of twice. This innovation attracted scores of young athletes who otherwise would have remained out of the race and it is a noteworthy fact that most of the prizes were won by high school and grammer school students. The race was the first event of its kind conducted in this vicinity without a sanction from the Pacific Amateur Athletic Association. In previous years athletes belonging to prominent clubs secured the cream of trophies, but this year on account of their affliation with the P.A.A. they did not compete. The result was a record entry list and the best race in the history of the annual run around the Lake." **It appears that when The Tribune used this photo in both 1949 and in 1974, the year of the race was mis-identified. If it was the Tenth Annual race than the photo was taken in 1923 not 1922.

Used: Oakland Tribune