Rep. Spears honors great-nephew of Ellison ‘Tarzan’ Brown for completion of Boston Marathon

Congratulations Thawn 

The House approved a resolution from Rep. Tina L. Spears honoring the great-nephew of Ellison “Tarzan” Brown for his completion of the Boston Marathon 90 years after Brown’s first Boston Marathon victory.

Thawn Sherenté Harris of Charlestown completed the marathon in an official time of 3 hours, 59 minutes, and 30 seconds, making him the third member of the Narragansett Tribe to complete the race and giving him the second-fastest recorded time among the tribe.

The resolution (2026-H 8539) sponsored by Representative Spears (D-Dist. 36, Charlestown, New Shoreham, South Kingstown, Westerly) declared that “Ellison ‘Tarzan’ Brown rose to national prominence in the 1930s, winning the Boston Marathon in 1936 and again in 1939, and competing in the 1936 Olympic Games, while bringing recognition and pride to the Narragansett people. 

Tarzan Brown’s 1936 victory included his legendary passing of race favorite Johnny Kelley on the hills of Newton, an iconic moment that gave rise to what is now known as ‘Heartbreak Hill.’ In completing the Boston Marathon, Thawn symbolically followed in his great-uncle’s footsteps along that same historic stretch, retracing the site of one of Brown's most celebrated achievements.”

Said Representative Spears, “In a powerful act of remembrance and resilience, Mr. Harris crossed the finish line barefoot, honoring his great-uncle’s first Boston Marathon in 1935 in which he ran the final miles barefoot. Carrying his sneakers in one hand, he carried the Narragansett flag in the other, in honor of the past, present and future of his people. Today we honor this achievement as one carried out for the people, and affirm with pride and clarity that 90 years later, the Narragansett people are here.”

The resolution continues by stating that “despite recovering from an ACL injury and training for only three and a half months, while also overcoming double lateral meniscus tears, Thawn demonstrated extraordinary perseverance in preparing for and completing the marathon. His accomplishment serves as a significant tribute to his great-uncle enduring legacy and as an inspiration to future generations to pursue excellence while honoring their cultural identity and history, and stands as a testament to perseverance, heritage and Indigenous visibility.”