History corner: The Cork man who ran himself into history

John Lordan was born in Bandon, Cork, in 1876. Historian and media student, Kevin O’Brien, reveals a compelling story of how, after migration to America, he made a name for himself as a long distance runner, winning the 1903 Boston Marathon and competing in the strangest Olympic race ever held at the 1904 St Louis games.

The Boston Marathon is one of the world’s oldest annual races and has become one of the most prestigious on the racing calendar.

In 2014, one year after the marathon bombings that shocked Boston and the world, Meb Keflezighi took victory wearing the names of the victims who died 12 months earlier on his race bib. He was the first American winner in over thirty years.