John J. McDermott of New York won the first Boston Marathon with
a time of 2:55:10.

The Boston Marathon was the brainchild of Boston Athletic Association member
and inaugural U.S. Olympic team manager John Graham, who was inspired by
the marathon at the first modern Olympic Games in Athens in 1896. Fifteen
runners started the race but only 10 made it to the finish line.

John J. "J.J." McDermott was born
in Ireland  in 1871 or 1872. He was
a lithographer by trade.