An announcement in the August 6, 1904, issue of The New York Times indicated that the Metropolitan Association of the Amateur Athletic Union would hold a "special five-mile race" at Celtic Park on August 13, 1904, with the eight top finishers receiving a paid trip to compete in the marathon at the Olympic Games in St. Louis on August 30, 1904.[4] Bonhag, listed as representing the Greater New York Irish Athletic Association, was named as one of 19 "probable competitors" in the event.[4]
At the 1904 Summer Olympics he competed in 800 m running but his result is unknown. At the 1906 Intercalated Games he placed fourth over 5 miles and sixth over 1500 m. Disappointed and highly motivated to make up for his loss, he entered the 1500 m walk and won the gold medal. This was the only time he competed in this event, and the first walking race at Olympics. The rules were not clearly set, and many of the nine competitors, including Bonhag, were "skipping" (i.e. changing to half-running). The first two finishers, Robert Wilkinson and Eugen Spiegler were disqualified for skipping. Two of four judges voted to disqualify Bonhag too, but he was defended by James Sullivan, chief judge of the event, and Prince George, who was president of the jury. A re-walk was set up between Bonhag and Don Linden, who finished fourth. Bonhag did not show up at the re-walk, and for uncertain reasons the jury did not change the race results and gave the gold medal to Bonhag and silver to Linden.[5]
Two years later Bonhag was part of the American 3 mile team that won the silver medal. Bonhag also participated in the 3200 m steeplechase event, but was eliminated in the first round. In his fourth Olympics in 1912 he won a team gold medal in the 3000 m race and placed fourth over 5000 m. He also participated in the individual cross country contest. As he was one of three Americans who did not finish the race, his team was unplaced.[1]
Note 1: In 1888 both the NAAAA and the AAU held championships
OT: The 1920, 1928, 1932, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012 and 2016 championships incorporated the Olympic Trials, otherwise held as a discrete event.
2020 OT: The 2020 Olympic Trials were delayed and held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Distance: Until 1924 the event was 5 miles; from 1925–27 and from 1929–31 it was over 6 miles.
* Events before 1906 are considered unofficial. Distances have varied as follows: 2 Miles (1899–1931) and odd numbered years since 2015, 5000 meters (1933–1939), 3 Miles 1932, (1940–1986), and 3000 meters (1987–2014) and even numbered years since 2014
