Medicine: Great-Hearted Runner

While a student at the University of Vermont, Clarence DeMar was a cross-country runner of high aspirations and great promise. But after he won the Boston Marathon, doctors told him that he had "a weak heart," raising doubts as to whether he should keep on running. That was in 1911. When DeMar died in 1958, it was not of heart disease but cancer, and he was known throughout New England as "Mr. Marathon." For in the meantime, DeMar had competed in more than 1,000 long-distance races, including 100 true marathons of 25 miles or more. He entered 34 and won seven...