Before Route 66 was a legend, it was the proving ground for an 84-day footrace. Here are a few surprising details from Andy Payne’s 1928 run—and how you can follow in his footsteps on April 11 in Claremore.
In 1928, a young runner from Rogers County—Andy Payne—set out in the “Bunion Derby,” a staged footrace from California to New York. The road was long, the conditions were rough, and most people never expected a farm kid from Oklahoma to outlast the world.
Here are a few lesser-known details that make his story even better:
1) Claremore didn’t just cheer — the town helped fund the run
Andy was paying expenses for himself and his trainer, and the community jumped in. Containers were placed in local stores so adults and kids could drop in coins and bills to help keep him going.
2) When Andy hit home territory, Claremore treated it like a holiday
When the runners reached Claremore, schools were turned out, businesses closed, flags decorated the streets, and crowds lined Route 66. The runners didn’t stop, but they accepted quick drinks from trainers as they moved through town.
3) He got a meaningful boost in Chelsea — and a famous Oklahoma name shows up
At the overnight stop in Chelsea, Andy saw his mother for the first time in months… and he was handed a check from Will Rogers to help him continue.
4) He wasn’t just running — he was promoting Claremore along the way
One of the most unexpected details: as he continued east, Andy wired the Claremore Chamber asking for radium water brochures to be sent to cities ahead. He picked them up as he passed through and distributed them all along the route.
5) The win wasn’t just toughness — it was strategy
Andy’s trainer described a deliberate approach: avoid unnecessary risk, let rivals push too hard, and stay healthy enough to finish. When the leading competitor eventually withdrew, Andy took the lead and held it to the finish.
6) New York was the finish line… but the legacy came back home
Andy arrived at Madison Square Garden as champion, claimed the grand prize, and later returned to Oklahoma to a hero’s welcome. His story became part of the DNA of Claremore history—and a reminder of what grit + community can do together.
Follow in his footsteps on April 11
That’s what the Andy Payne Route 66 Half Marathon & 5K is all about: running the Mother Road with a purpose, honoring a real Oklahoma story, and supporting the Claremore Museum of History.
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