Eli Albert Tharnish (May 3, 1869–March 18, 1935) was an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 runner

Runner

A runner is a person who runs.Runner may also refer to:- Arts and music :* Runner, a film by the British artist Ravi Deepres* Runner , a short-lived British rock band, formed in 1978* Runner , a Marvel Comics character...

 known for foot racing and was the first to be called "The World's Fastest Man".

From 1884 to 1891, Tharnish was never defeated in a race for money, including races from a 50-yard dash to four miles. He was trained by Ed W. Moulton

Edward Moulton

Edward W. "Dad" Moulton was an American sprinter, athletic trainer, and coach. He was a professional sprinter who won more than 300 races and was regarded as the American sprinting champion from 1872 to 1878. Moulton later worked as a trainer of sprinters, wrestlers, boxers, and bicyclists...

, trainer of Charlie Paddock

Charlie Paddock

Charles "Charlie" William Paddock was an American athlete and twofold Olympic champion.After serving in World War I as a lieutenant of field artillery in the U.S. Marines, Paddock - a native of Gainesville, Texas - studied at the University of Southern California...

. His time for the 100 yard dash was 9 4/5 seconds. Tharnish ran for Barnum and Bailey after racing and beating a man, while barefoot and in overalls, the circus had claimed to be "the world's fastest human."

Tharnish was born in Darien, New York

Darien, New York

Darien is a town in Genesee County, New York, United States. The population was 3,061 at the 2000 census.The Town of Darien lies in the southwest part of Genesee County, southwest of Batavia.- History :...

 but shortly his family moved to Audubon, Iowa

Audubon, Iowa

-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 2,176 in the city, with a population density of . There were 1,106 housing units, of which 961 were occupied....

.