Two Amateur Athletic Union medals awarded to runner R. Earl Johnson. First is a gold medal presented to Johnson in 1921 for winning the five-mile run, 1.75″ in diameter, with a woman presenting a laurel on the front, and “Amateur Athletic Union of the United States MDCCCLXXVIII,” in raised letters around the edge; the reverse is engraved, “–5 Mile–Run, July 4, 1921, R. Earl Johnson,” and the medal retains its original red, white, and blue ribbon and pin. Second is a medal presented to Johnson in 1922 for the individual cross-country event, 1.75″ in diameter, with a woman presenting a laurel on the front, and “Amateur Athletic Union of the United States MDCCCLXXVIII,” in raised letters around the edge; reverse is engraved, “Individual Cross Country 1922, R. Earl Johnson,” and the medal retains its original blue and gold ribbon and pin.
R. Earl Johnson was the first nationally prominent African-American distance runner. He made his Olympic debut in 1920, and in 1924 he placed eighth in a field of 43, and led the US to the silver medals in the cross-country team event. Johnson was the AAU champion at five miles for three straight years from 1921–1923 and won the 10 mile event in 1924. A desirable pairing of artifacts from a prominent early African-American in sports history.
