Sidney Hatch

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Olympic medalist
Center
Sidney Hatch
Medal record
Men’s athletics
Silver 1904 St Louis 4 mile team

Sidney H. Hatch (1883-1966) was an American athlete who competed for the United States in the 1904 Summer Olympics held in St Louis, United States in the 4 mile team where he won the silver medal with his team mates Jim Lightbody, William Verner, Lacey Hearn and Frenchman Albert Coray.

Sidney Hatch was also a well known marathon runner in his time. From 1904 through 1922 he ran more than 45 marathons with a score of victories including the Yonkers Marathon in 1911. He won the Chicago Marathon, the New Orleans Marathon and three Missouri Athletic club Marathons in St Louis including the 1908 marathon that qualified him for the 1908 Olympics. He competed in the marathon in two Olympics, placing 8th in 1904 at St Louis and 14th in 1908 in London. He won a silver medal in the 1904 Olympics Four Mile team event. He placed in the top 10 in the Boston Marathon several times with third place finishes in 1915 and 1916. In 1916 he set a record on the 96 mile Milwaukee to Chicago run. He finished second in the Boston Marathon in 1917.

He served as an Army messenger in WWI and was decorated for "extraordinary heroism" under fire at near Brieulles, France, 11 October 1918. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross as well as the French Croix de Guerre. After WWI he returned to run two more Boston marathons before retiring from marathon running. He was a letter carrier from 1923 to 1952. He and Gertrude Morris were married in 1921 and had three children; Herbert, and twin girls June and Jane.

Sidney is buried at the Chapel Hills Gardens West Cemetery, Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois.