1955 Fite Memorial Marathon

Shore Club Lists Boat Race Change

Ocean City, May 16 — The Ocean City Yacht Club's Memorial Day Marathon Boat Race will be staged in four divisions, racing over a 15-mile course this year.

Charley Hickman, Philadelphia, chairman of the race committee, announced the new setup will replace the Fite Memorial Marathon which in previous years was run up the Egg Harbor River to Mays Landing and back.

The race this year will be run over a two-lap course between the Ocean City Yacht Club and Beesleys Point on Great Egg Harbor Bay. The competition has the sanction of the American Power Boat Association.

Group 1 will be for all hydroplanes and unlimited class boats. Group 2 will feature "F” and “I” service runabouts. "D" and ‘EH service runabouts and Jersey Speed Skiffs will run in Group 3. with Group 4 open to "D," “E" and "F" racing runabouts.

Prizes will be offered in each division, and a perpetual trophy and a take-home cup will be awarded the winning boat.

A number of outstanding racers in the country are among the entries. Included are Bill Ritner Jr., of Merion, Pa., last year’s Fite Memorial winner; Dr. George Firth, Philadelphia former national championship racer; James L. Cherry Jr., Abington, last year's Bellwoar series winner; Hickman, 1953 and 1954 “1" runabout champion; Sam duPont, Wilmington. Dels., national “F" champion, and others.

--- Courier Post, May 16, 1955