Brewer Labor Day Race 1940

RK Notes – Here is the Road Race Report of the September 2, 1940 race that Clarence DeMar competed in Brewer. Article written by John Wentworth – News Sports Writer (Page 12).

Clarence DeMar Just Likes To Run

Great Marathoner Every Day Fellow

At 52 Hopes to Keep running for 20 more years; has simple advice for youngsters.

The flimsy running uniform was stuck to his body. Rain drops and beads of sweat stood on his forehead, and his thinning hair was tousled. The 52-year old Clarence DeMar, one the greatest marathoners of modern times, looked tired – but happy.

“Yes sir,” he said in a soft, drawling voice, “that’s the first race I’ve won since 1934, when I won the New England Marathon at Manchester, New Hampshire.”

Then he smiled and started to take off a pair of sneakers, which looked as though they would have fallen off if given the opportunity. “Those won’t last you much longer,” someone said.

He picked one up and examined it. “one year, they have to last,” he said. “You see, they cost me $7.50 a pair!”

NO HERO STUFF

This was Clarence DeMar, the Clarence DeMar who has, in the past 25 years, run to the roar of thousands in winning the famous Boston Marathon more than any other man. This was the Clarence DeMar who carried the colors of Uncle Sam in three Olympic marathons, at Stockholm, at Paris and at Amsterdam.

There weren’t any roaring thousands on hand as he plodded to victory in the six mile race, feature of the Labor Day celebration, at Brewer. And he wasn’t exactly, “besieged” by cameramen as he crossed the finish line. But you got the idea from talking with him after the race that he would have been about as excited if such had been the case. You thought of the old saying, “Heroes are made, not born.”

Clarence DeMar doesn’t seem to be the hero type.

LOVES TO RUN

The Keene, New Hampshire veteran certainly hasn’t made a fortune out of his running exploits, And this writer, at least is convinced that the word, “glory”, as far as Clarence DeMar is concerned, is a word that usually crops up in patriotic songs. Why then, does he continue to run? Why does he test his physical powers year after year by running beneath the baking sun and in torrential rains, knowing full well that his has been, rather than is, the glory?

The only answer seems to be: the fellow just loves to run!

“Running,” he said, “is a poor man’s sport. All a fellow needs is a pair of bvd’s and away he goes. There is no expensive equipment needed.”

His advice to young fellows who plan to be runners is very simple and when he tells it he somehow makes you think of Will Rogers. “Just get out and git!” That’s all a fellow has to do, according to Clarence.

As he was dressing, someone came into the locker-room in the Auditorium and asked him what he wanted to eat and when he wanted it.

“I’ll eat now,” he said, “and I’ll eat anything.”

That is the way it has always been with him. He eats anything and everything. But he doesn’t drink nor smoke. “Some very fine runners do drink and smoke,” he said, “and they get away with it. But I wouldn’t advise it.”

We asked him about his heart, which at one time was suppose to be in bad shape. “A long time ago,” he laughed, “several doctors told me that my heart was in tough shape, that I was in danger of passing away if I continued running. I’ve been running ever since and today they tell me that same heart is in superb condition!”

“Don’t you want to take a shower?” someone asked him. “No.” was they the reply. “I have two or three baths a week.”

WORKS IN BOSTON

Asked where he is working at present, he explained that he is a spare man in the composition room of the Boston Herald, that he hopes to get a good deal more work soon. “You don’t need a man on your paper, do you?” he asked with a grin.

The great runner said that he still teaches Sunday school. “They won’t let me teach school any more,” he said, “on account of the kids used to have too much fun in my classes.” (He formerly taught at Keene, New Hampshire, Normal School)

“How much longer do you plan to run?” we asked.

“About 20 years” he said. “And then I plan to take up walking races – heel and toeing it, as they say.”

So you can see that Clarence DeMar likes to travel under his own power.

DeMar Winner Brewer Race

Covers Six Miles in 35:51, Brewer Gridder 3rd.

Clarence DeMar, veteran marathoner from Keene, New Hampshire, won the six mile race (feature of the Labor Day celebration in Brewer), covering the distance – to Northern Maine Junction and back in 35 minutes, 51 seconds. It was the first race the popular plodder had won since the 1934 when he copped the New England championship marathon at Manchester, New Hampshire.

Close on DeMar’s heels was Herbie Clark of Brewer, who finished in 36 minutes, 17 seconds. Chet Dalton, young Brewer High football captain, was third, in 39:42 and Codey Jordan, veteran Brewer runner, was fourth in 4004. Cliff Steeves of Brewer was forced to quit because of cramps in the legs.