Rhode Island runner honors family legacy of 'Tarzan' Brown at Boston Marathon
(WJAR) — Every April, thousands of runners gather in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, to set out on the 26.2-mile journey to Boston in one of the world’s most iconic races: the Boston Marathon.
First held in 1897 and inspired by the modern Olympic Games, it is the oldest annual marathon in the world, but for one Rhode Island man, this year’s race carries a much deeper meaning.
At 47 years old, Charlestown resident Thawn Sherenté Harris is preparing to run the Boston Marathon not just as a personal achievement, but as a tribute to his family and heritage.
“I thought I had kind of reached the end, and there was going to be no more running for me,” Harris said. “And the universe sometimes has a different plan.”
Harris is one of a small group of indigenous runners selected to participate in this year’s race.
He is running in honor of his great uncle, Ellison “Tarzan” Brown, a legendary distance runner and member of the Narragansett Tribe.
Brown rose to national prominence in the 1930s, known for his endurance and determination.
He won the Boston Marathon twice, in 1936 and 1939, often training on the roads of Rhode Island.
In some cases, he would run miles just to get to work.
“He ran not for himself, but for all of us,” Harris said.
Brown earned the nickname “Tarzan” for his powerful running style and love of climbing trees as a child -- traits that became part of his larger-than-life legacy.
Today, Harris is following in those same footsteps, training on the very roads his great uncle once ran.
“I was fortunate enough as a little child to be able to climb and play in the same tree which he did,” Harris said. “And now I’m running and training on the same roads he ran.”
As Harris takes on the marathon course, one moment stands out in particular: Heartbreak Hill. The grueling stretch has challenged generations of runners and is tied to one of Brown’s most memorable performances.
“I am excited to run that hill that my great uncle was on,” Harris said. “I’m hoping I’ll get a little burst like he did to push me to the finish line.”
Beyond the race itself, Harris says his run represents something bigger.
A husband, father of seven, school teacher, world champion dancer, and proud citizen of the Narragansett Tribe, he hopes his journey will inspire others.
“I’m bringing visibility to our people,” he said, “but I’m also inspiring the next generation of runners within our tribal community.”
For Harris, crossing the finish line won’t just mark the end of a race. It will honor a legacy rooted in perseverance, culture, and community.
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