Sidney Hatch

Sidney Hatch ( Sidney Herbert Hatch, born August 18, 1883 in River Forest, Illinois, † October 17, 1966 in Maywood, Illinois) was an American long-distance runner, the beginning of the 20th century was successful.

Life

Hatch was known member of the Illinois Athletic Club in Chicago and as a talented runner. For the 1904 Olympics in St. Louis, there were in the United States no knockouts, the athletes were mainly suggested by the most prestigious sports clubs and universities. Also, Hatch was one of the chosen participants.

The first competition for Hatch at the games was the marathon, which was marked by extraordinarily difficult circumstances. But the unqualified and sometimes even illegal assistance that was given to some runners, the course influenced significantly. With the eighth Hatch reached a quite respectable result under these conditions.

Four days after the marathon, a team run over four miles took place, which is actually concerned a battle between cities runners from Chicago and New York. The runner from Chicago were announced as the team of the Chicago Athletic Association. It was held a run, which was attended by ten runners ( five for each team ). The team classification was made according to place numbers (1st place = 1 point; 2nd place = 2 points, etc.). Hatch, the team should only complete, otherwise no suitable runners of the Chicago Athletic Association were available. In fact, Hatch took only the tenth and last place in the race. His team lost the scoring against the team of the New York Athletic Club, but despite the defeat they finished statistically the second place, because other teams were not at the start.

In the U.S., a keen interest in long- distance races, developed after the Games. 1905 organized by the Illinois Athletic Club in Chicago its own marathon race over 25 miles, which should be held annually and was intended as a competitor to the Boston Marathon. Hatch, a member of the club for several years involved in the running of his club, but never able to secure him.

Hatch did have some success with another also in 1905 launched running, the All Western Marathon of the Missouri Athletic Club in the Olympic city of St. Louis. Was he at the premiere yet Second, he was able to run from 1906 to 1908, and 1911, 1914 and 1915 win. The race in 1908 was an elimination race for participation in the Olympic Games in London in 1908, and with his victory Hatch had the ticket in my pocket.

The run at the games in 1908 was for Hatch as unsuccessful as that of 1904. At no time, he played an important role and eventually ran one on the 14th place finish.

Placements at the Olympic Games:

• III. Summer Olympic Games in 1904, St. Louis Four miles team - silver with the Joint team Chicago Athletic Association (Gold at New York Athletic Club, United States)
• Marathon - Eighth place without timing (Gold to Thomas Hicks from the USA with 3:28:53 h)

• Marathon - 14th place with 3:17:53 h (Gold to John Hayes from the USA with 2:55:18,4 h)

Hatch was not impressed by the lack of success in the Olympic marathon little, he continued to participate in numerous runs. In 1911 he also won the Yonkers Marathon next to the All- Western Marathon. 1912 All- Western Marathon was run again excretion for participation in the Olympic Games in Stockholm in 1912. Hatch, who had earlier won the race four times, in 1912 only a third party and thus missed direct qualification. Shortly before the games they told Hatch that he still could still be included in the team for Stockholm, but he should finance the trip out of pocket. This, however, it was not possible.

Hatch participated several times also at the Boston Marathon, was there in 1915 and 1916 respectively third, 1917 runner-up and had more placements in the top 10 until 1922 he participated in a total of 45 marathons, the scoring it all ended and other notable successes.

1916 Hatch proved that he possessed even on long distances over an enormous capacity. The long-distance running between Milwaukee and Chicago over a distance of 95.7 miles ( 153.2 kilometers ), he graduated in record time with 14:50:30 hours and thus improved the old record from 1907 of his former Teamkollogen in the Team Event at the Summer Olympics 1904 Albert Corey.

In World War Hatch served in the U.S. Army as a courier and was stationed in 1918 in France. Although wounded in battle near the town Brieulles -sur -Meuse by a grenade, he set out on a long way from his position at headquarters, brought there an important message and helped on the way back the ammunition transport. Only then you noticed his injury and took him to the medical corps. For this achievement, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and was awarded the Purple Heart and the French Croix de Guerre.

Sidney Hatch married in 1921 Gertrude Morris, with whom he had three children. 1923 Hatch began in his hometown of River Forest to work as a postman. Until 1953, with 70 years, he retired from the postal service. Hatch died at the age of 83 years.