“If you don’t think you are good enough to win, why bother showing up?”
For forty years, Herm Atkins has held the distinction of being the fastest native-born black American at the marathon distance. 2:11:52.
But that’s not why he is an Original Gangster. We were at Bloomsday, visiting our friend OG Don Kardong. The field was scary loaded. I asked Herm how he felt he’d do. Have to paraphrase ’cause I am old now, but he said something like – without hesitation – well, Jack, I’m gonna win.
Must admit I expressed surprise. Say what you will, but I was something of an astute observer of the sport. After all, these guys had been beating me like a two-assed mule for years. Have you seen the entry list? I asked him.
He didn’t miss a beat. “If you don’t think you are good enough to win, why bother showing up?”
Herm Atkins always showed up. And I always admired that about him.
When did you start running and why?
I tried out for football in 10th grade in Seattle as a 113-pound running back, and I didn’t last very long. I was then directed into running by the high school gym teacher where I discovered I had some talent, and I blossomed into a very good distance runner in my senior year. I enjoyed it, and it gave me a great deal of confidence.
Toughest opponent and why?
As I got into elite running, all the opponents were tough. I found that the late Steve Prefontaine was the most intimidating. But I sought out the competition because I knew it would bring out the best in me.
Most memorable run and why?
I think the most memorable race was when I won the state cross-country championships race in high school and continued to improve. I say that because it opened the door for me to continue my education after high school and improve my running skills at the collegiate level.
Biggest disappointment and why?
Missing the 1980 Olympic Marathon trials due to a stress fracture. I had trained very hard and prepared for that race and I was looking forward to winning a position on the marathon team. The stress fracture was due to increasing my training to 140 miles a week. As I look back on it, my best performances were when I maintained 75 quality miles a week.
What would you do differently if you could do it again? Why?
After college I basically coached myself. I think if I had to do it again I would get input from someone else who could evaluate my progress. I also probably would have started running marathons at a lot younger age. My first marathon was at age 27. I think I would also have remained a track athlete. After the 1976 trials, I dropped track & field and got into road racing.
What was your highest weekly mileage? Why?
In early 1980 I got up to 140 miles a week, thinking it would improve my performance. I was wrong. I ended up with a stress fracture and missed the marathon trials later that year.
What about the occasion(s) when you had to run down a perp??
On one that was a shoplift, I ran after the guy. I got up behind him and said, “You want to keep running? I could do this all day.” He just stopped. The goal was not to catch the bad guy too soon. Let him or her tire out, so you would not have to fight them. Most bad guys are not in great shape. A short run would take the fight right out of them.
Favorite philosopher? Quote?
If we go by quotes, I guess I would say President Teddy Roosevelt.
“Far better is it to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure … than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat.”
You can probably guess who holds the Everett, Washington, Police Department’s record for the 1.5 mile fitness test. 7:07. The fastest native-born black American cop.What about the occasion(s) when you may have had to run down a perp??
On one that was a shoplift, I ran after the guy. I got up behind him and said, “You want to keep running? I could do this all day.” He just stopped. The goal was not to catch the bad guy too soon. Let him or her tire out, so you would not have to fight them. Most bad guys are not in great shape, so a short run would take the fight out of them.
Special song of the era?
“On the Road Again” by Willie Nelson.
Favorite comedian?
Redd Foxx.
What was your ‘best stretch of running’?
I think between 1975 to 1979. In 1979 I placed 2nd in San Blas Half Marathon behind Miruts Yifter of Ethiopia. I later ran Boston and placed 9th, and I ran a very good marathon at Nike OTC at 2:11:52.
And so why do you think you hit that level at that time?
I was training with a group of guys at University of Washington who complimented each other.
Of course, just living in the northwest where many great distance runners come from … Gerry Lindgren, Steve Prefontaine, Doris Brown Heritage, Don Kardong … to name a few.
Original Gangsters Of Running all.
2019 National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame Honoree
Herman Atkins (Everett, WA)
- Placed 5th at Nike/Oregon Track Club Marathon in a time of 2:11:52 on September 9, 1979. The fastest marathon by a native-born Black American.
- One mile best of 4:04.
- my PR for a 2-mile was 8:40 and a 400-meter best of 49 seconds.
- 1973 – 5,000 meters 13:43.
- 1977 – First marathon 2:18.
- 1977 – Second place Honolulu Marathon 2:20:54.
- 1979 – Ninth place Boston Marathon 2:14:27.
- 1980 – Nike/OTC Marathon 2:15:09.
- 1981 – Houston Marathon 2:17:22.
- 1984 – Men’s Olympic Marathon Trials 2:19;45.
- 1993 – Led Snohomish Track Club to a National Masters Cross-Country 10K Championship. Herm clocked 32:28.
Personal bests
| Type | Distance | Time | Flags | Site | Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RD | 10 km | 29:29.8 | Everett WA/USA | 23 Sep 1979 | ||
| RD | 15 km | 45:40 | Portland OR/USA | 24 Jun 1979 | ||
| RD | 20 km | 1:06:19 | Snohomish WA/USA | 19 Mar 1972 | ||
| RD | Half Mara | 1:05:51 | Coamo PUR | 04 Feb 1979 | ||
| RD | Marathon | 2:11:52 | Eugene OR/USA | 09 Sep 1979 |
Performances
