James Davies "Jim" Lightbody (March 15, 1882 – March 2, 1953) was an American middle distance runner, winner of six Olympic medals in the early 20th century.

Jim Lightbody

Lightbody, from Pittsburgh, had great success at the 1904 Summer Olympics, held in St. Louis. He wasn't favoured in any of the three individual events in which he competed, but nevertheless won all three of them.

First, he won the 2500 m steeplechase, sprinting to the 800 m title days later. Finally, he won the 1500 m in a new world record. Later that day, he added a second place to his tally, when he competed with the Chicago Athletic Association in the 4 mile team event.

In 1905, Lightbody won AAU titles in both the 800 m and 1500 m, and the following year he competed in his second Olympics, the Intercalated Games of 1906 in Athens. He successfully defended his 1500 m title, and placed second in the 800 m.

Jim Lightbody died in 1953, two weeks short of his 71st birthday in Charleston, South Carolina.