When running was young and so were we, there was a wonderful man, a man who was all about giving the ladies the opportunity to compete at the highest level. His name was Vince Reel and he asked me to contribute a column about road racing for his publication. I had forgotten all about Women’s Track & Field World until I found a tear sheet. This “On The Road Again” – edited for brevity – likely appeared late summer 1982. – JDW
I am sitting at my desk. Through the window I can see the crater of Mt. St. Helens. I know the lava dome is growing, as is the nuclear stockpile and the national debt. Meanwhile, Vince Reel, so old he once ran on a mile relay team with Barney Rubble and Fred Flintstone, wants my column. He wants it on time. Faced with this impossible demand, I must warn you the following is written because it’s cloudy and my closest friend is spending the weekend with her folks.
Carol Chilicoat of Seattle is rumored to have received a kiss from Ollan Cassel as a reward for winning the USOC Sports Festival Marathon (Indianapolis, July 25) in 2:47:55. Second place was to be a kiss and a hug. Third place included dinner. Additional results are currently unavailable as the other finishers fled town before the award ceremony.
England’s Kathy Binns, according to Athletics Weekly, is hampered by a form of arthritis in an ankle. One doctor, I assume a medical one, advised her that “marathon running is the worst thing she can do.” I don’t know, cigarette smoking seems worse.
Athletes who compete well in hot weather might give Concorde Hotels a call (1-800-whatever). Burke Koncelik topped the women’s field in Concorde’s International Marathon (Aruba, June 27) for the second consecutive year, bettering her own course record of 3:21:19 with a time of 3:00:52. She finished fifth overall. A 3:30 result would have garnered third place among women.
Those of you who find the shorter distances more invigorating might consider a 10K offered the previous day. Carol Urish set another course mark, winning in 36:17.
Heck, Fred Lebow even won the 50-54 age group with a time of 4:38:07. Flash! I’ll call Concorde myself. I could run an hour or two faster than Fred and guarantee them international coverage at the same time. Sounds like a plan. [Ed. Note – I always wondered what age group you would be in, Jack.]
Kelly Watkins won a Pepsi Challenge 10K on July 10th in 40:26. Doesn’t sound all that awesome, but consider that Rod Dixon ran 32:20. And he didn’t even win. Perhaps the location of Park City, Utah – and its altitude of 7200 feet had some affect on the performances.
Jan Ettle of St. Cloud, Minnesota, took first prize at Grandma’s Marathon (Duluth, June 20) with a time of 2:41:20. Coach Billy Squires described the course as “the best I have ever seen in the world.” Tina Gandy (2:41:53), Marianne Dickerson (2:43:19), Janis Klecker (2:44:07), highschooler Karlene Erickson (2:45:37) did the chasing.
Oh, oh, there’s a knock on the door. It’s my own little track star. Gotta run. Before I go… this stupefyingly comprehensive compendium only scratches the surface of the important role women play in this sport. We’d like to do more and we’d like to do it better. You can help by sending race results and clippings to me c/o this magazine. Vince, who will be played by Henry Fonda in the forthcoming movie of my life, will see you get a percentage of my fee. Thanks.
Go see “An Officer And A Gentleman.” Good flick.