Earl Johnson

Earl Johnson was the first nationally prominent black distance runner. He made his Olympic début in 1920 when he was eliminated in the heats of the 10,000 m. Four years later there were no heats for this event and Johnson placed eighth in a field of 43. In the cross-country event in Paris, Johnson finished third behind the redoubtable Finns, Paavo Nurmi and Ville Ritola, and led the U.S. to the silver medals in the team event.

Johnson won the AAU cross-country title in 1921 and placed second in the historic 1922 Berwick Marathon, over nine miles. On the track he was the AAU champion at five miles for three straight years from 1921, and in 1921 and 1924 he won the AAU 10 miles. In 1921 and 1923 Johnson also won what was termed the Detroit Marathon, although the distance was only 22 miles. He competed for the Edgar Thompson Steel Works AA team near Pittsburgh, and later became a sportswriter for the Pittsburgh Courier and managed an African American sandlot baseball team at Edgar Thomson Works.

Personal Best: 10000 – 32:17.0 (1924).