New Jersey Runner Wins In Marathon Race at Houston, Texas (3/2/1930)

Fred Ward, Jr., of Dover, Out-runs Classy Field

Beats Clarence De Mar Boston's Veteran Long Distance Star in Spring to Take by Twelve Yrds Runs Under Colors of Melrose A.C. of New York -- His Time Is Two Hours and Twelve Seconds -- Indian Runner Finishes Third

Houston, Texas, March 2 (AP) -- Fred Ward, Jr., of Dover, N.J., today won the first annual marathon here after a spring in which he outstepped Clarence Demar, the veteran long-distance runner from Boston.

Ward, running for the Millrose A.C. of New York, set a time of two hours, 12 seconds.  He beat Demar, from Melrose A.A. of Boston, by seven yards.

Until the last eighth of a mile there never was more than 10 yards between Ward and Demar.  The first mile was made in five minutes seven seconds by the winner and the last in six minutes.  For Ward it was another triumph for one of the most promising of America's candidates in the Olympic marathon in 1932 and for Demar it was a defeat that took little from his promise as a contender in the same event.  Demar, 42 years old, and for 21 years engaged in marathon competition, has won 14 major marathon races.

Breasting a stiff North wind, Ward ran a smooth, even race with comparatively long strides; Demar flailed the wind with his arms and hands all the way and took short, choppy steps.

August Barbosa, Indian runner of Dallas, came in third 20 minutes behind Ward.  Five minutes later came William Neville of Houston.  James Savage of New Orleans finished fifth, an hour and ten minutes behind the winner.  The three other starters Buster Bonneau and Barney Corey of Houston, and Bill Leiteritz, of Dallas, failed to finish.

As they broke the tape one, two, Ward and Demar both seemed strong though the winner had suffered a stomach cramp five miles from the finish.

Source:  The Paterson Morning Call, Monday, March 3, 1930