Original Gangsters Of Running (Jack Leydig)

Many years ago, I was in a bit of trouble, so I made a rare call to the Anonymous OGOR and asked if I could stay for a few weeks. Maybe twelve.  Hadn’t heard from me in years.

Conversation went something like this. “It’s me. Jack. The Running magazine guy.” “Oh, Jack. Hi.” Told him I’d stay out of his way. And he said okay.

I get to the place – big and empty – and make myself at home. He gets back a fortnight later from a trip, takes one look at me and says, “I gotta be the only guy in the world with two friends named Jack who operate running magazines.”

I’ll be honest, he looked a little disappointed. True story. – JDW

When did you start running and why?

I started running in the fall of 1960 at Hillsdale High in San Mateo.  My driver education instructor, Connie “Conan” Smith, was also the cross-country and track coach.  He was only at Hillsdale for three years but created two national record holding teams in that short time period!  He said I looked like I could be a good distance runner and said I should come out for cross-country and track.  I ran in only my junior and senior years.

In the fall of 1961 our cross-country team ran 49:04 for the Track & Field News five-person two-mile team competition (we actually broke the old record twice).  In the spring of 1962, we set a U.S. 4 x 1-mile relay record at 17:49.9 on a dirt track with no competition to speak of.  I was a part of both teams and ran 4:21.5 for the mile that year.  Those two records still stand at Hillsdale, over 55 years later!

Toughest opponent and why?

Not sure I ever thought about my toughest opponent.  I simply tried to do the very best I could, so I was my own toughest opponent, always trying to be better.  I never got to the levels I thought I was capable of reaching (sub-2:20 marathon, etc.).

Most memorable run and why?

Qualifying for the 1972 Olympic Trials Marathon by running 2:25:15 at Boston (finishing 22nd) in fairly warm weather.  That is my P.R.  Sub-2:30 was the qualifying standard that year.  I also ran a 1:39 for 30K on the roads earlier that year. 

Biggest disappointment and why?

Not being able to qualify for the 1976 Olympic Trials Marathon (2:23 was the standard that year).

What would you do differently if you could do it again?  Why?

I probably needed more speed work (really!) and should have taken more time recovering from very hard training stretches.

I probably overdid my training.

What was your highest weekly mileage?

I’d have to go back to my training logs to find that, but probably 105-110 miles.  In my best days I always tried for 90-100 mile weeks when I had the time (and energy).  

What was your ‘best stretch of running’?  
And so why do you think you hit that level at that time?

I think my best stretch of running was in 1972 when I was awarded NorCal Roadrunner Of The Year for my overall performances.  I was not working that year and was aiming to just qualify for the Olympic Trials marathon.

What was your edge?

Having so many friends that were supportive of my running, especially those on the West Valley Track Club, where I was president for about 15 years.  

Favorite philosopher?  Quote?

None comes to mind.

I think that was Sartre, ‘none comes to mind.’

Special song of the era?

“You Can’t Always Get What You Want!” – Rolling Stones.

Favorite comedian?

Can’t think of one… I probably needed several at many times!!!

And because you’re you…

Why “Bonus Jack?”
Don Kardong & Duncan Macdonald thought [nothing can go wrong. – ed.] that would be a suitable moniker.  Don went on to finish 4th in the 1976 Olympic Games Marathon by only a few seconds [& a bunch of PEDs – ed.], and Duncan broke the U.S. record in the 5,000 meters (13:19).  Don originated the Lilac Bloomsday Run in Spokane and has been the continuing meet director.  

Please tell me something about the genesis of NorCalRR?

NorCal Running Review started out in the first year or so as a West Valley Track Club publication, primarily about the club.  After a few years, Paul Reese, a great masters runner in the 60’s and 70’s, thought it should be renamed because it started to cover the entire spectrum of distance running, track & field, and race walking throughout the area.  

I was the originator and editor until I no longer had the time to continue it in early 1981.  It was supported by the WVTC and members of the athletics community throughout the 1970’s.  

NorCal Running Review was scanned in 2013-14 by LA84 and all issues can be viewed online (thanks to the support of Jacqueline Hansen).

https://digital.la84.org/digital/collection/p17103coll2/search/searchterm/NorCal%20Running%20Review

Check it out. You’ll be amazed.

Jack Leydig did a helluva lot for the sport. Many important contributions. Look him up at http://www.woohoo.org/runsf/stars.htm

I am attaching a page from the September 1980 Track & Field News which had the summary of the Moscow Olympics, which I attended.  Unfortunately, most of the T&FN staff were not issued travel visas by the Soviet government (it figures!).  However, Tom Jordan, the long-time Prefontaine Classic director, went to the Moscow Games and was my room mate.  See the lower right portion of the page.  I brought the primary T&FN timing equipment (an 8-Lane Chronomix timer) which we operated from up in the stands…not perfect, but not bad.  If we hadn’t had an Intourist guide with us it would have probably been impossible to get it into the stadium…you know, lots of batteries and wires when you opened it up (a bomb no doubt!).  Memories!

On my work computer at Wild Dog World Headquarters, I can see what Jack is talking about. Apparently nobody else can. So here’s that lower right portion of the page.

… Special kudos to Jack Leydig, editor of the NorCal Running Review.  Jack accomplished the impossible – he imported a Chronomix Race Timer into the Soviet Union and got it past four sets of guards at Lenin Stadium every day of the track competition. Due to him, his invaluable Chronomix, and our other timers T&FN was able to get deep splits on nearly every race of the 1980 Games.

“Imported” sounds so much better than ‘international smuggler.’ Like I said – gangster.