Amateur Athletic Union gold medal presented to renown trend setter R. Earl Johnson in 1921 for winning the five-mile run. Medal measures 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, “–5 Mile– Run, July 4, 1921, R. Earl Johnson.” Medal retains its original red, white, and blue ribbon and pin. In fine condition. 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. An artifact from a prominent African American in sports history.
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