14 Facts About Dave Komonen

Taavi "Dave" Komonen was a Finnish-Canadian athlete, who mainly competed in marathon running.

Dave Komonen won the Boston Marathon in 1934, after placing second the previous year.

Taavi Komonen was born in Kakisalmi, Karelia, which then belonged to Finland but was invaded by the Soviet Union during World War II.

Dave Komonen worked as a farmer and carpenter in Finland before moving to Toronto, Ontario, Canada in 1929.

Dave Komonen competed in the Boston Marathon for the first time in 1931 and finished seventh in the race.

Dave Komonen returned to Toronto, and in 1933 placed second in the Boston Marathon; the winner, Les Pawson, defeated Dave Komonen easily, 2:31:01 to 2:36:04.

Dave Komonen competed in the United States National Marathon Championship and won that race in 2:53:43, although Mel Porter, who ran 2:53:46, was recognized as the National Champion.

Dave Komonen decided to move to Sudbury, Ontario, where there was a major Finnish community.

Dave Komonen received financial aid making possible his trip to Boston in 1934.

Dave Komonen's winning time of 2:32:53 was almost four minutes faster than that of runner-up Johnny Kelley.

Dave Komonen was initially allowed to compete in the trial on the understanding that his citizenship papers would be finalized before the games.

In October 1934 Dave Komonen won his third Canadian National Marathon Championship.

Dave Komonen lived in Sudbury until 1951 when he returned to Finland.

Dave Komonen died on April 19,1978, exactly 44 years after his victory in Boston.