During the early 20th century, when long-distance running was a sport with thousands of spectators, Tom Longboat was the dominant competitor. A Canadian-born Onondaga Indian, he battled racism, rumours of alcohol abuse, and poor training habits to rise to the top of his sport, winning scores of races in North America and Europe from 1905 to 1930, including the Boston Marathon. Tom's heritage meant that he came from a culture where running was a highly prized skill, and although it also meant that he had to fight stereotypes and prejudice, he never lost his dignity.