- Photograph by
- Unidentified
- Subject of
- Reed, Tony, American, born 1956
- National Black Marathoners Association, American, born 2001
- Date
- June 23, 2007
- Medium
- dye and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
- Dimensions
- H x W: 7 x 5 in. (17.8 x 12.7 cm)
- Caption
- With the completion of the 2007 Safaricom marathon in Nairobi, Kenya, long distance runner Tony Reed became the first Black person to complete a marathon on all seven continents. He has also completed marathons in each of the 50 states, known as the "marathon hat trick."
- Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Reed first became interested in health in fitness when he was diagnosed with a pre-diabetic condition at the age of eight. He began long distance running in 1979 while working as a computer programmer in Texas. He has since completed 132 marathons, including winning ten age group and weight division trophies.
- Reed co-founded and is executive director of the National Black Marathoners Association and has written several books and articles about distance running. In 2022, he wrote and directed the award winning documentary Breaking Three Hours: Trailblazing African American Women Marathoners.
- Description
- A color photograph with paper backing of Tony Reed participating in the 2007 Safaricom Marathon in Nairobi, Kenya. Reed is wearing a white NBMA sleeveless shirt (2012.69.1a), black running shorts, and white Asics (2012.69.3ab). Reed’s marathon bib number, 154, is hanging from his waist (2012.69.2). Reed is standing on a dirt road in the middle of a plain. There are two male figures in the background.
- Place depicted
- Nairobi, Kenya, East Africa, Africa
- Classification
- Photographs and Still Images
- Type
- chromogenic color prints
- portraits
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Anthony and Deborah Reed
- Object number
- 2012.69.5
- Restrictions & Rights
- Restrictions likely apply. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.




