Richard Sanford ran the steeplechase at the 1904 St. Louis Olympics, although his placement is not known, or it may be that he did not finish. Sanford was a middle-distance runner who represented the Brooklyn YMCA. At the 1901 Pan American Exposition Sanford won the mile at the AAU Junior Championships and finished second in the mile at the AAU Meet. He was also 1904 AAU Indoor Champion in the 880 yds. During the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition, Sanford also ran the 880 at the YMCA Championship, a non-Olympic or demonstration event, placing third.