Sidney Hatch
Encyclopedia
Sidney Hatch was an American
athlete who competed for the United States in the 1904 Summer Olympics
held in St Louis, United States
in the 4 mile team where he won the silver medal with his team mates James Lightbody, Frank Verner, Lacey Hearn
and Frenchman Albert Corey.
Sidney Hatch was also a well known marathon runner in his time. From 1904 through 1922 he ran more than 45 marathons with a score of victories including the Chicago Marathon
in 1909 and the Yonkers Marathon
in 1911, competing as a member of the Illinois State Gaelic A.A
In 1910, he finished in 5th place in the Yonkers Marathon
, competing as a member of the Chicago Irish American Athletic Club
.
He never failed to finish a marathon. He was a six-time (1906, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1914, and 1915) winner of the Missouri Athletic Club
's All Western Marathon in St Louis including the 1908 marathon that qualified him for the 1908 Olympics. He competed in the marathon in two Olympics, placing 8th in 1904 at St Louis and 14th in 1908 in London. He won a silver medal in the 1904 Olympics Four Mile team event. He also qualified for the 1912 Olympics but did not compete. He placed in the top 10 in the Boston Marathon several times with third-place finishes in 1915 and 1916. He finished second in the Boston Marathon in 1917. In October 1916 he set a record in the 96 mile, Milwaukee to Chicago Run, completing the race in 14 hours, 50 minutes and 30 seconds.
He served as an Army messenger in World War I and was decorated for "extraordinary heroism" under fire at near Brieulles, France, 11 October 1918. He was awarded the Purple Heart
and Distinguished Service Cross
as well as the French Croix de Guerre
. After World War I he returned to run two more Boston marathons before retiring from marathon running. He was a letter carrier in River Forest, Illinois from 1923 to 1953, retiring at age 70. He and Gertrude Morris were married in 1921 and had three children; Herbert, and twin girls June and Jane.
He was born in River Forest, Illinois
and died in Maywood, Illinois
. Sidney is buried at the Chapel Hills Gardens West Cemetery, Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
athlete who competed for the United States in the 1904 Summer Olympics
1904 Summer Olympics
The 1904 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the III Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in St. Louis, Missouri, in the United States from 1 July 1904, to November 23, 1904, at what is now known as Francis Field on the campus of Washington University...
held in St Louis, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the 4 mile team where he won the silver medal with his team mates James Lightbody, Frank Verner, Lacey Hearn
Lacey Hearn
Lacey Earnest Hearn was an American athlete and sprinter who competed in the early twentieth century. Individually he specialized in the 1500 Metres, and he won a bronze medal in Athletics at the 1904 Summer Olympics. James Lightbody took gold...
and Frenchman Albert Corey.
Sidney Hatch was also a well known marathon runner in his time. From 1904 through 1922 he ran more than 45 marathons with a score of victories including the Chicago Marathon
Chicago Marathon
The Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a major marathon held yearly in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Alongside the Boston, New York, London and Berlin Marathons, it is one of the five World Marathon Majors. Thus, it is also an IAAF Gold Label race...
in 1909 and the Yonkers Marathon
Yonkers Marathon
The Yonkers Marathon, held in Yonkers, New York, is the second oldest marathon in the United States, after the Boston Marathon. The course of the Yonkers Marathon is known as being tough and hilly....
in 1911, competing as a member of the Illinois State Gaelic A.A
Gaelic Athletic Association
The Gaelic Athletic Association is an amateur Irish and international cultural and sporting organisation focused primarily on promoting Gaelic games, which include the traditional Irish sports of hurling, camogie, Gaelic football, handball and rounders...
In 1910, he finished in 5th place in the Yonkers Marathon
Yonkers Marathon
The Yonkers Marathon, held in Yonkers, New York, is the second oldest marathon in the United States, after the Boston Marathon. The course of the Yonkers Marathon is known as being tough and hilly....
, competing as a member of the Chicago Irish American Athletic Club
Irish American Athletic Club
The Irish American Athletic Club was an amateur athletic organization, based in Queens, New York at the beginning of the 20th Century.-Early years:...
.
He never failed to finish a marathon. He was a six-time (1906, 1907, 1908, 1911, 1914, and 1915) winner of the Missouri Athletic Club
Missouri Athletic Club
The Missouri Athletic Club , founded in 1903, is a traditional gentlemen's club and athletic club in Downtown St. Louis, Missouri, USA, with a separate athletic campus in the St. Louis County suburb of Town and Country. The MAC awards the annual Hermann Trophy, the highest award in American...
's All Western Marathon in St Louis including the 1908 marathon that qualified him for the 1908 Olympics. He competed in the marathon in two Olympics, placing 8th in 1904 at St Louis and 14th in 1908 in London. He won a silver medal in the 1904 Olympics Four Mile team event. He also qualified for the 1912 Olympics but did not compete. He placed in the top 10 in the Boston Marathon several times with third-place finishes in 1915 and 1916. He finished second in the Boston Marathon in 1917. In October 1916 he set a record in the 96 mile, Milwaukee to Chicago Run, completing the race in 14 hours, 50 minutes and 30 seconds.
He served as an Army messenger in World War I and was decorated for "extraordinary heroism" under fire at near Brieulles, France, 11 October 1918. He was awarded the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
as well as the French Croix de Guerre
Croix de guerre
The Croix de guerre is a military decoration of France. It was first created in 1915 and consists of a square-cross medal on two crossed swords, hanging from a ribbon with various degree pins. The decoration was awarded during World War I, again in World War II, and in other conflicts...
. After World War I he returned to run two more Boston marathons before retiring from marathon running. He was a letter carrier in River Forest, Illinois from 1923 to 1953, retiring at age 70. He and Gertrude Morris were married in 1921 and had three children; Herbert, and twin girls June and Jane.
He was born in River Forest, Illinois
River Forest, Illinois
River Forest is a suburban village in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Two universities make their home in River Forest, Dominican University and Concordia University Chicago. The village is closely tied to the larger neighboring community of Oak Park, Illinois. There are significant...
and died in Maywood, Illinois
Maywood, Illinois
Maywood is a village in Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It was founded on April 6, 1869 and organized October 22, 1881. The population was 26,987 at the 2000 census.-Overview:...
. Sidney is buried at the Chapel Hills Gardens West Cemetery, Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois.