Mateo Flores

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Mateo Flores (born Doroteo Guamuch Flores on February 11, 1922^[1]), is a former Guatemalan long-distance runner who won the Boston Marathon in 1952.

Flores was born in Cotió, Mixco, a town near Guatemala City. During his career, which spanned from 1941 to 1957, he won multiple events, notably the marathon at the 1946 Barranquilla Games, the half marathon at the 1950 Central American and Caribbean Games in Guatemala, and the marathon at the 1955 Pan American Games in Mexico City. He also participated in the 1952 Summer Olympics in Helsinki.

On April 19, 1952, against any predictions, Flores became the winner of the Boston Marathon, a major international racing event. He took the lead from his countryman Luis H. Velasquez after the first ten miles, and finished ahead of U.S. competitor Victor Dyrgall by almost five minutes, recording a time of 2 hours, 31 minutes, and 53 seconds.^[2] The achievement made him a sports icon in his country, and the Guatemalan government paid him tribute by renaming the national stadium in Guatemala City to Estadio Nacional Mateo Flores.

He became a Professor of physical education after his retirement. He has also been a golf caddy and occasional player. He is a practicing Roman Catholic.