An announcement in the August 6, 1904 issue of "The New York Times" indicated that the Metropolitan Association of the Amateur Athletic Union would hold a "special five-mile race" at Celtic Park on August 13, 1904 with the eight top finishers receiving a paid trip to compete in the marathon at the Olympic Games in St. Louis on August 30, 1904. Spring, listed as representing the Pastime Athletic Club, was named as one of 19 "probable competitors" in the event.