Skip to Main Content
Books·Canadian

Meet Tom Longboat

A picture book by Elizabeth MacLeod and Mike Deas.

Elizabeth MacLeod, illustrated by Mike Deas

CBC Books ·

On a cold and windy April day in 1907, Tom Longboat beat a crowd of top runners to win the famous Boston Marathon. His exhilarating, record-breaking performances earned him legions of fans in Canada and around the world. But there is more to his story than being a famous athlete. Tom volunteered and bravely served in WWI. He was dedicated to his family and community. Tom didn't always win, but he always worked hard with his head held high. Tom did things the way he knew was right... and achieved success on his own terms. (From Scholastic Canada Ltd.)

From the book

Excerpted from Meet Tom Longboat, copyright © 2019 by Elizabeth MacLeod and Mike Deas. Reproduced with permission from Scholastic Canada. (Scholastic Canada.)

More about Tom Longboat

Digital Archives4:06Marathon runner Tom Longboat
The astonishing marathoner "Wildfire" mysteriously collapsed in the 1908 Olympics. 4:06

Canadian history behind the June 4 Google Doodle

The National

3 years agoVideo
1:26
It honours legendary Indigenous Canadian athlete Tom Longboat, who was born on this day in 1887. A runner from Ontario's Six Nations Reserve, Longboat shattered records and stereotypes. 1:26
The Secret Life of Canada1:56S1: Shout Out to Tom Longboat
Meet Tom Longboat, an Onondaga long distance runner born in 1887 on Six Nations. Tom became one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, despite his struggles and encountering racism throughout his career. 1:56

 

 

Add some “good” to your morning and evening.

A variety of newsletters you'll love, delivered straight to you.

Sign up now

Comments

To encourage thoughtful and respectful conversations, first and last names will appear with each submission to CBC/Radio-Canada's online communities (except in children and youth-oriented communities). Pseudonyms will no longer be permitted.

By submitting a comment, you accept that CBC has the right to reproduce and publish that comment in whole or in part, in any manner CBC chooses. Please note that CBC does not endorse the opinions expressed in comments. Comments on this story are moderated according to our Submission Guidelines. Comments are welcome while open. We reserve the right to close comments at any time.

now