Elite Canadian distance runner Jerome Drayton won Boston Marathon in 1977

Jerome Drayton won the Boston Marathon in 1977, becoming the first Canadian man to win the race in 29 years. None has done so since.After the race, he criticized officials for allowing a chaotic start and for not supplying water for runners along the course. The criticism infuriated organizers.“It was a real hassle, like a free-for-all at the start,” he said after finishing the famous Patriots’ Day race in 2 hours, 14 minutes, 46 seconds. “I got jostled, booted, kicked around. There was no notice when the gun was going off. It went off suddenly. One guy grabbed my shirt and nearly pulled me down. I got kicked in the ankle at the start and thought I was a goner.”