Homer Baker (June 8, 1893 – November 25, 1977) was an American middle-distance track and field athlete.
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | June 8, 1893 Buffalo, Erie County, NY |
| Died | November 25, 1977 (aged 84) Williamsport, PA |
| Sport | |
| Country |  United States |
| Sport | Runner |
| Achievements and titles | |
| National finals | US Champion, Half-mile(1913 and 1914), British Champion, 880-yards(1914) |
Career
editBaker became US national half-mile champion in 1913 and 1914.[1]
Baker toured Europe during 1914 and won the British AAA Championships title in the 880 yards event at the 1914 AAA Championships, beating the famed Albert Hill.[2][3][4] At the same championships he finished third behind Cyril Seedhouse in the 440 yards event.[5]
Baker had poor eyesight and withdrew from running for 18 months after a 1917 accident in the New York City Subway.[6] He did the 880 yards (half-mile) in 1,56,4 and 660 yards in 1,20,4 (world record holding up for 26 years).[7] In 1923, he was appointed physical director in the Panama Canal Zone.[8] Baker was a cousin of silent film star Clara Bow.[9]
References
edit- ^ Racine Journal News, May 11, 1917
- ^ Press Telegram(CA), April 23, 1952
- ^ "Amateur Athletics". Lancashire Evening Post. 4 July 1914. Retrieved 17 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Applegarth's Feats". Manchester Courier. 6 July 1914. Retrieved 17 November 2024 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "AAA, WAAA and National Championships Medallists". National Union of Track Statisticians. Retrieved 17 November 2024.
- ^ Iowa City Citizen, January 2, 1919
- ^ The Fairport Herald Mail, December 14, 1977
- ^ Indianapolis Star, May 6, 1923
- ^ "Clara Bow says she is fast —on a cinder track". The Boston Globe. 23 March 1924. p. 63.
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