Leonard Hurst
Len Hurst | |
|---|---|
Len Hurst wins 1896 Paris Marathon. Depicted on the front page of Le Petit Journal, 2 August 1896. | |
| Born | 28 December 1871 |
| Died | 22 November 1937 (aged 65) Kent |
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Brick-maker, Athlete |
| Known for | 1896, 1900, 1901 – Paris marathon winner, 1901 – 25-mile World Champion, 1903 – 25-mile World record, 1900 – (probable) 50 km world record. |
Len Hurst (28 December 1871 – 22 November 1937) was renowned as a British long-distance athlete, both running and pedestrianism, although he started life as a brick-maker, and spent his last 29 years as a pub landlord.
Hurst won his first adult race in 1887 at the age of 15, whereby the prize of £10 qualified him as 'professional'. In 1896 he won the inaugural Paris Marathon and went on to repeat the victory in both 1900 and 1901.
In 1901 he won the professional 25-mile (40 km) world championships in London, and in 1903 he broke the world 25-mile (40 km) record.