With the stands for President Calvin Coolidge’s inauguration in the background, a herd of runners set off from the Capitol on a ten-mile “marathon” through the Washington streets. Competitors stowed their clothes in the Cannon House Office Building gym and jogged to the East Front in 15 degree weather, where the U.S. Marine Corps commandant fired the starting gun. 53 minutes and 33 4/5 seconds later, Whitey Michelson broke the finish line tape just 1/5 second ahead of the favorite, Verne Booth.
