The Mullica Hill Women’s Triathlon Club sponsored the Queen of the Hill triathlon-duathlon on June 23. Now in its ninth year, the event challenged hundreds of women to bike, swim and race through the scenic countryside of Old Harrison Township. Long forgotten, however, was another test of endurance in Mullica Hill in 1835 – the first known foot race of record.
As reported in Woodbury’s newspaper “The Constitution,” the race took place on Saturday, May 23 in 1835, and involved four contestants – Eli Thompson, 24, Edward O’Harrow, 30, Charles Mitchell, 28, and Henry Madara, age unknown. The challenge was to complete a three-mile course in 18 minutes. The prizes were $15 to the winner and $5 to the runner-up, the equivalent today of approximately $425 and $150.
Madeira was the first contender to give in, having hurt his foot in the first half-mile. At the end of the first mile, Mitchel led with a time of five minutes and 12 seconds. His triumph, however, was short-lived as he dropped out during the second mile. O’Harrow then took the lead, but Thompson surged ahead during the final mile and won the race in 17 minutes and 45 seconds, only five seconds ahead of O’Harrow.
Now, the triathlon club took on a far more challenging course to achieve their personal best and not a monetary prize.
