Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
In Part 3 of our series on the 1928 “Bunion Derby,” discover the incredible true story of Andy Payne, the 20-year-old farm boy who won the legendary "Bunion Derby"—a grueling 3,400-mile race across America. In 1928, against the backdrop of the newly commissioned Route 66, Payne endured 84 days of extreme conditions to claim a life-changing $25,000 prize. This video explores the grit, determination, and historical impact of one of the greatest endurance feats in history.
In this video:
-The origin of the 1928 Transcontinental Footrace.
-Andy Payne’s journey from Oklahoma to the finish line in New York.
-How the race helped cement Route 66 as an American icon.
-The physical and mental toll of running 40 miles a day for nearly three months.
Timestamps: 0:00 The Legend of the Bunion Derby 0:23 Andy Payne’s Elite Competition 0:42 A Hero’s Welcome in Oklahoma 1:29 Reaching the End of Route 66 1:42 The Final 1,000 Miles to NYC 2:14 The Grueling Reality of the Race 3:03 Finishing at Madison Square Garden 3:21 The $25,000 Prize 3:49 Resilience and Cherokee Heritage 4:30 The Legacy of Route 66 5:50 A Complicated American Story
Explore more stories from the Mother Road and celebrate 100 years of Route 66: history.com/collections/route-66
#HISTORYHonors250 #History #Route66 #AndyPayne #BunionDerby #AmericanHistory #Endurance
Discover more American history on our site:
history.com/250
Subscribe for more HISTORY Honors 250 and other great shows from The HISTORY Channel:
histv.co/SubscribeHistoryYT
Check out exclusive The HISTORY Channel content:
History Newsletter - histv.co/newsletter
Website - histv.co/History
Facebook - histv.co/Facebook
Twitter - histv.co/Twitter
history.com/250
Celebrating 250 years of America’s history, we reflect on its journey from independence in 1776 to global influence. Through resilience and progress, the U.S. has faced challenges, fought for equality, and shaped a diverse nation, committed to liberty, justice, and unity. Join us on this exciting journey through 250 years of progress and keep visiting HISTORY.com for more stories of breakthrough innovations, major achievements, and unsung heroes that have shaped the nation.
The HISTORY® Channel, a division of A+E Global Media, is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events, to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based scripted programming, The HISTORY® Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. The HISTORY® channel has been named the #1 U.S. TV network in buzz for seven consecutive years by YouGov BrandIndex, and a top favorite TV network by Beta Research Corporation. For a deeper dive, visit history.com or follow @history on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
In Part 3 of our series on the 1928 “Bunion Derby,” discover the incredible true story of Andy Payne, the 20-year-old farm boy who won the legendary "Bunion Derby"—a grueling 3,400-mile race across America. In 1928, against the backdrop of the newly commissioned Route 66, Payne endured 84 days of extreme conditions to claim a life-changing $25,000 prize. This video explores the grit, determination, and historical impact of one of the greatest endurance feats in history.
In this video:
-The origin of the 1928 Transcontinental Footrace.
-Andy Payne’s journey from Oklahoma to the finish line in New York.
-How the race helped cement Route 66 as an American icon.
-The physical and mental toll of running 40 miles a day for nearly three months.
Timestamps: 0:00 The Legend of the Bunion Derby 0:23 Andy Payne’s Elite Competition 0:42 A Hero’s Welcome in Oklahoma 1:29 Reaching the End of Route 66 1:42 The Final 1,000 Miles to NYC 2:14 The Grueling Reality of the Race 3:03 Finishing at Madison Square Garden 3:21 The $25,000 Prize 3:49 Resilience and Cherokee Heritage 4:30 The Legacy of Route 66 5:50 A Complicated American Story
Explore more stories from the Mother Road and celebrate 100 years of Route 66: history.com/collections/route-66
#HISTORYHonors250 #History #Route66 #AndyPayne #BunionDerby #AmericanHistory #Endurance
Discover more American history on our site:
history.com/250
Subscribe for more HISTORY Honors 250 and other great shows from The HISTORY Channel:
histv.co/SubscribeHistoryYT
Check out exclusive The HISTORY Channel content:
History Newsletter - histv.co/newsletter
Website - histv.co/History
Facebook - histv.co/Facebook
Twitter - histv.co/Twitter
history.com/250
Celebrating 250 years of America’s history, we reflect on its journey from independence in 1776 to global influence. Through resilience and progress, the U.S. has faced challenges, fought for equality, and shaped a diverse nation, committed to liberty, justice, and unity. Join us on this exciting journey through 250 years of progress and keep visiting HISTORY.com for more stories of breakthrough innovations, major achievements, and unsung heroes that have shaped the nation.
The HISTORY® Channel, a division of A+E Global Media, is the premier destination for historical storytelling. From best-in-class documentary events, to a signature slate of industry leading nonfiction series and premium fact-based scripted programming, The HISTORY® Channel serves as the most trustworthy source of informational entertainment in media. The HISTORY® channel has been named the #1 U.S. TV network in buzz for seven consecutive years by YouGov BrandIndex, and a top favorite TV network by Beta Research Corporation. For a deeper dive, visit history.com or follow @history on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and TikTok.
