Petaluma Spartan Marathon

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The Petaluma Spartan Marathon [1] was an American marathon race, the first continuously held west of the Mississippi. [2] Local Healdsburg runner, Leland "Clipper" Smith won the race five times including the inaugural 1935 race. [3] The race was held for 25 years under the auspices of the Petaluma Spartans athletic club, being replaced in 1959 by shorter distance races and the modern Clo Cow Half Marathon. The race was the Pacific Coast Amateur Athletic Union tryouts for the USA Olympic marathon squad. [4]

The Petaluma Marathon resumed in 1968 to continue to develop talent for the American Long Distance Olympic Running Team. [5] The 26.2 mile race was held for five consecutive years. [6]

References

  1. ↑ "Petaluma Argus Courier, 25 March 1937- Third Annual Petaluma Spartan Race". California Digital Newspaper Collection. Retrieved 17 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "Longest Running Marathons". Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS). Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  3. ↑ "Petaluma Spartan Marathon - Race Winners". Association of Road Racing Statisticians (ARRS). Retrieved 16 January 2026.
  4. ↑ "Healdsburg Tribune, 2 January 1936- Local Runner In Training For Olympic Tryout". California Digital Newspaper Collection. Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Petaluma Argus Courier, 16 November 1968". California Digital Newspaper Collection. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
  6. ↑ "Press Democrat, 8 December 1972- 9 Santa Rosans In Marathon Grind Sunday". California Digital Newspaper Collection. Retrieved 21 January 2026.
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