Muhammad Ali, born Cassius Clay, passed away Friday at age 74. He was a champion boxer, a civil rights activist, a humanitarian, one of the best-known people in the world -- and a world champion harness racing driver.

On March 8, 1979, Ali participated in a special harness race during a night of racing in benefit of Provident Hospital of Chicago, at that time the oldest and largest African-American-managed hospital in Illinois.

Ali and his pacer, Boozer Beau, happened to draw the rail for the five-horse exhibition contest, and the race happened to be scheduled at a distance of 7/8 of a mile over the half-mile Maywood oval -- which would put the start late on the first turn, a place where very few harness races are programmed to start.

Boozer Beau won in 1:57, and set a world record for a pacer over 7/8 of a mile over a half-mile track -- despite, as the picture shows below -- being hitched to a jog cart.

Much was made of Ali setting a world record, and the record was even carried in the Trotting And Pacing Guide for a while, until the aspects of the 'exhibition' nature of the race caused a rethinking of its listing.

But you could look it up.

(with files from PHHA/Pocono)