Marathoner Johnny Miles dead at 97

Johnny Miles, one of Canada's greatest marathon runners, has died in Hamilton at the age of 97.

News of his death was reported on his official web site on Sunday.

Born in Halifax, England and raised Sydney Mines, N.S., Miles shocked the running world in the 1920s when he won two Boston Marathons.

In 1926, when he was barely 20-years-old, the Cape Bretoner led the pack and crossed the finish line in a record-setting time in 2:25.40.4, a full four minutes ahead of the runner-up.

"Yeah, I surprised a few people that day," he told the Hamilton Spectator in an interview last year.

He won his first Boston Marathon wearing a pair of 95-cent sneakers he bought at a local store in his hometown and a homemade jersey featuring a red Maple Leaf.

After his success in 1926, Miles went on to run in the Boston Marathon three more times, winning it again in 1929.

He represented Canada twice in the Olympics before retiring from competition.

Miles was inducted into three halls of fame -- one in Ontario and two in Nova Scotia.

News of his death was also announced Sunday in New Glasgow, N.S., during the annual Johnny Miles Marathon, a qualifying event for the Boston Marathon.

with files from Canadian Press