Spotlight on the World of Coca-Cola-Bobby Walthour Ad
Most people would be surprised to learn that the very first athletes to endorse Coca-Cola were marathon bicyclists. A Georgia native, Bobby Walthour was racing professionally by age 18, winning both sprints and six-day races. In 1901 and 1903, he won America's greatest race, the six-day race held inside Madison Square Garden. He continued to race competitively into the 1920s and was recognized as one of the leading wheelmen of his time.
In 1909,Walthour appeared in an endorsement ad for Coca-Cola. In the text, he said: "When I first went into a six-day race took a jug of Coca-Cola to New York with me and drank it all the time I was there. After that experience, I have never been without Coca-Cola because it keeps me fresh, but does not stimulate and then leave me all broken up."
The original ad is part of our display on Sports and Entertainment.
My name is Phil Mooney, and I've served as the historian/archivist for 
Good to know about the marathon bicyclists. I liked the experience shown by them regarding the coca cola in the article.
Posted by: ropes | November 20, 2009 at 04:50 AM
Sports nutrition has come a long way in the last 100 years but many pro cyclists in races like the Tour de France still request bottles of Coke, especially near the end of long races when they need a hit of sugar and caffeine.
Can you post an image of the ad?
Posted by: Josh Kadis | November 20, 2009 at 07:10 PM
I agree with one of the point that I have never been without Coca-Cola because it keeps me fresh, but does not stimulate and then leave me all broken up.I like the aid campaign which gives pure surety of Coca-Cola.The revolution of Coca-Cola continues rapidly by the help of viewers.
Posted by: creatin | November 28, 2009 at 02:20 AM
After he had won the New York six-day race inside Madison Square Garden with his partner Archie McEachern, Bobby Walthour was quoted in the Atlanta Journal, on December 20, 1901:“Now that the thing is over I don’t mind letting all of you in on the secret. That was Coca-Cola. I drank it because it refreshed me and at the same time there are no after effects like there are in other stimulants. You see those other fellows resorted to different kinds of drugs, but I took none at all. When I felt tired and worn out I just drank a glass of Coca-Cola and went back to work. It gave me strength, brightened me up and made me feel better generally.”
Andrew Homan, Bobby Walthour Biographer
Posted by: Andrew Homan | December 10, 2009 at 04:17 PM