The 1929 Bunion Derby the most grueling ultra-marathon of all time

On March 31, 1929 seventy seven men began an epic 3,554 mile footrace from New York to Los Angeles punishing their bodies an average of 46 miles for 78 days over mostly unpaved roads in hopes of winning $25,000 in prize money. The 1929 Bunion Derby is considered the most grueling ultra-marathon of all time.

The event promoter Charlie Pyle put together a traveling Vaudeville show in hopes of raising the prize money, complete with dancing debutants, an all-girl band wearing pilot outfits and black faced comedians.  This is an amazing tale told by the author Charles B. Kastner.