The Andy Payne Exhibit

In 1928, a young man from Oklahoma set out on a journey that would test every ounce of his strength, courage, and determination. His name was Andy Payne, and he was about to make history.

At just 20 years old, Payne entered the Bunion Derby — a grueling footrace from Los Angeles to New York City, covering more than 3,400 miles of dust, desert, and mountain roads. Competing against over two hundred runners, he faced blistering heat, freezing cold, and endless miles of unpaved highway.

Day after day, step after step, Andy Payne endured — wearing through six pairs of tennis shoes along the way. On May 26, 1928, after running for nearly three months, he crossed the finish line in New York — the winner of the greatest footrace ever held.

He returned home to Foyil, Oklahoma, a national hero and a symbol of perseverance during one of America’s toughest times. Later in life, Payne continued to serve his state as Clerk of the Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Today, the Claremore Museum of History celebrates Andy Payne’s incredible achievement — the story of a small-town Oklahoman whose determination carried him all the way across America.