I used to think that it didn’t make any difference how far you ran if you had a good, strong musculoskeletal system and no underlying cardiovascular problems. – Kenneth H. Cooper
That right there in that photograph is an important group of distance running pioneers. Respect must be paid.
And there is always an accompanying caption, identifying all but a few athletes.
Been that way for decades, I think. Same caption. Always.
Top Row L-R Dr. Mike Pollock, Kenny Moore, Steve Prefontaine, Jim Crawford, Ted Casteneda, Philip Ndoo, Unidentified, Dr. Kenneth Cooper.
Middle Row: Jeff Galloway, Doug Brown, Russell Pate, Perry Pittman, Gary Tuttle, Richard Pettigrew, Mike Manley.
Bottom Row: Unidentified, Ron Wayne, Jim Johnson, Paul Geis, Don Kardong, Unidentified, Frank Shorter.
A puzzle. A travesty, really, against the history of running. A crime I’d like to solve.
Suddenly, a tip comes in on the Wild Dog Hotline.
Employee #1 reached out: “Dog, I am pretty sure that’s Hank Pfeifle, standing next to Dr. Cooper.”
Top row, second from the right. It IS Hank Pfeifle alright, no longer “unidentified.”
And we have the X-RAY SCHEDULE to prove it.
Can’t help noticing the name of “Bill” Johnson on the x-ray list. Deduce that.
Twenty athletes in the photograph. Two dozen names on the x-ray list. If they are traveling at the same speed, who is present in the picture?
I can’t figure it out. I asked Ron Wayne, who sat next to one unidentified athlete. “Bob Coleman – the study wanted some non-elite runners, so I recommended Bob. He was a co-worker with me at Nike.”
Well, he is famous now.
Which brings me to the estimable Hank Pfeifle. He’d definitely be more famous if his last name was easier to spell. From memory, I mean.
I was jogging my own when I read a race report from 1980. Five or six famous runners and Hank finished fourth. His name, of course, was misspelled and I, you guessed it, was the responsible journalist.
When did you start running and why?
It took a while for me to find running. My parents built and owned the Sugarloaf Inn at the very base of the Sugarloaf mountain resort in Maine where downhill skiing was just out the back door. When it came time to go to high school, my parents sent we four boys to prep schools since Kingfield High consisted of four teachers total. It was many years later when it consolidated with Phillips, Strong, Salem and Stratton to form Mount Abrams High and be able to offer more educational programs. So it was off to Phillips Academy Andover I went. It was there, while on the ski team, that I was introduced to cross-country skiing .. and ski jumping as we did all 4 events in those days.
From Andover I went to UVM (University of Vermont) and continued with the skiing. I soon realized that I had to pare down my skiing disciplines and focus on one as the competition was too stiff to be an all rounder. Cross country skiing was the final choice and it introduced me to people who influenced me greatly. I got to train with some really good skiers – Norwegians and US national team members – where I was all ears and eyes to learn from them. The most influential person was Perry Bland who was ski team captain for my first two years and then became a coach upon graduation. I stayed in Burlington each summer and trained with Perry, who was also captain of the XC running team. Joining us each summer was John Dimmick who, as you know, was a UVM and beyond running stud. Training sessions were spirited and those guys always harped on me to join the UVM XC team.
During my sophomore and junior years, I made the UVM ski carnival squad, but realized my top tier days were numbered what with more Norwegians and national teams guys coming on board. Tough to admit but, yeah, those guys were better. My senior year I decided to heed Perry and John’s advice and walked over to the gym and asked Couch Nedde if I could join the XC team. Perry had prepped him and Coach was only too happy to have me. My first race I finished fifth. By the end of the season I broke the course record and notched a few wins along the way. I knew I had found my sport.
We had a great team that senior year – all freshmen and sophomores and me. The team captain did not make the traveling squad. We newbies were talented and motivated and we enjoyed pushing each other to improve. We were undefeated in dual and Tri meets. We got spanked a bit in the season-ending conference and New England meets. We were inexperienced, but, hey, the cost of learning is future improvement. That senior year of cross-country was a good launching pad for my running career.
“Pic of Andy and I running at Stowe 8 miler. He won this one (1981).”
Toughest Opponent and Why?
I guess one of my most consistent opponents and one who I was most judged against was Andy Palmer. We were both from Maine. We both loved to race, loved to train and wanted to run fast. And we both loved to test ourselves against the best. We were great friends, trained together, bunked together on the road, pushed each other, hoped the best for each other but were fully competitive and gave never an inch. There were a ton of good runners back then and one always had to respect whoever showed up because talent was forever coming out of the woodwork. Andy and I were probably 50-50 against each other. He was a good soul that we lost too early.
Most memorable run?
I have a lot of good memories from running but one that really stands out is the 1978 Maple leaf Half Marathon held in beautiful Manchester Center, Vt. It was the culmination of a strong year of racing with wins at:
– Charles River Run (7.1 miles) in Boston
– Weirs Beach 10k (NH)
– Concord, NH 20k
– Archie Post 5 miles (Burlington)
– Bennington, Vt 10k
We were living in Henniker, New Hampshire, after spending a couple of post-college years, first in Rangeley, Maine and then in Dallas. At each location I worked to advance my running, improve my times and move up the talent ladder. I divided my racing schedule into three parts – local races, regional races and national races. Success was judged by win the local, Top 5 in regional and Top 10 in national as the depth of talent increased.
Going into Maple Leaf my fitness was sky high as I felt I was floating above the roads and feeling strength with every step. My last run before heading to Vermont was along a road boarding the Contoocook River and it was quick and effortless. I could not wait to toe the starting line. Guy Thomas (RIP) host of the Maple Leaf Half (and a Nike-phobe) was on a mission to make the race a national class event. To further that purpose he brought in Gary Bjorkland and Mike Slack as headliners. With that draw, all the local and regional studs showed up as well, which gave success to Guy’s intent.
The excitement level was high for the race, due to strong talent, a spectacular setting and running a half was more unique at that time. My memory of the actual race kicks in around the eleven-mile mark when I see Slack a bit ahead of me. I’m thinking, “dang, he’s coming back to me”. The legs are feeling good, so I hit the gas a bit, catch him and then, incredibly, Gary comes into sight. “Dang”, again, and more gas to the legs pulls me even. BJ looking vulnerable and, with no mercy in racing, off I went and raced alone to the tape in 65:36. A real shocker and it gave validation to me that I could hang with anyone on a good day.
Any competitor soon learns you have good days to cherish and bad days that are hard to forget but help in advancing the program. The biggest disappointment story comes next.
What is your biggest disappointment in running?
This one is kind of easy. My biggest disappointment was my 1978 NYC Marathon. This was run a few weeks after the Maple Lead Half and things were looking positive for a successful race. John Dimick and I went down to the race, he from Vermont and me from Maine, with high hopes of a fast time. Unfortunately that was not to be for both of us.
When I went to the sign in, John was there looking dejected and, as I approached him, I saw he was on CRUTCHES! What happened? I can’t remember all the specifics but the conclusion was that, as he was getting out of his car, the car rolled forward and the door hit a pillar, causing the door to slam onto John’s shin, squeezing the heck out of it. No marathon for him.
Race day dawned nice and chilly with a promise of good running weather. Off we went to the start in the elite bus, which meant no long wait standing in the dark and cold. When the time came we zillion runners lined up clogging all lanes, coming and going, of the Verrazano Bridge. Following the blue line and running through the burrows of NY proved exhilarating, a comfortable effort with the lead group. Hey, this could be a good day. Crossing the Queensboro Bridge and spiraling down to First Avenue still triggers goosebumps as the memory of the roar of the awaiting crowd never fades. This was fun!
But the fun was soon to end as a mile later the legs started a bad feedback loop. Uh-oh. The gait started to slow and bad vibes began to dominate. Another mile went by and so did Frank Shorter on his way to a 2:16. Maybe he knew something I didn’t? And does walking mean the wheels have come off? And at mile 24, you can look across Central Park and see the finish line. Oh, how nice it would have been to just walk across the grass and have a seat. But quitting is a bad habit and I fought that urge. Soon I could hear the tunnel of roaring as Greta Weitz approached. That was kind of cool, actually, and spurred me into running in the false hope of beating her to the finish line. Nope.
I did make it to the finish. The disappointment came in failing to rise to the occasion of performing well in the big time. The whole experience made me determined to dig deep into how to successfully train for a marathon and recognize that good performances were the result of proper and thorough training. Full body fitness became my mantra. The next marathon (Casco Bay Marathon and year later) was a baby step to test the program. 2nd place and 2:24 PR was ok. Then more work because Casco Bay was nice but it was local and small time.
Next on my marathon calendar was Boston 1980 to see if I could handle big time. I still remember Amby Burfoot advising patience over the first five downhill miles, as too much enthusiasm would cause pain later. Gee, I think I’ll listen to him and his experience. It worked as the legs stayed true the whole way and propelled me from 35th at the top of Heartbreak Hill to 21st and a 2:20:34 finish good enough for an Olympic trials qualifying time. That was satisfying.
The marathon times continued to improve the next three outings with a 2:18 at Nike OTC (1980), 2:17 at Marine Corp (1981) and 2:16 at the Orange Bowl marathon in Miami (1982). Never did the wheels come off again.
What would you do differently if you could do it again? Why?
Sometimes I wonder if I should have listened to Dimick and Perry Bland and took up running a couple of years earlier at UVM so that I could have graduated onto the road running scene as a more developed product. But then I think not because everything I did and its timing turned out perfectly. Downhill ski racing as a kid against future Olympians and holding my own, XC skiing against the best competition and growing there, having a solid running career marked by top 1% in the world results and then a late start to cycling and achieving Cat 1 status, 1 world title and 2 national titles – all that adds up to a life full of satisfaction. Add in a 51 year and going strong marriage, 3 fabulous and successful kids and a “look forward to everyday at work” career at Nike and it all adds up to a time on earth that is tough to beat. So, no regrets here (except for NYC marathon, of course).
Favorite philosopher?
“Laws control the lesser man …. Right conduct controls the greater one.” – Mark Twain.
I’m going with Mark Twain even though he’s probably not widely known for being a philosopher. He valued practical everyday living, doing the right thing but knew that people made mistakes thus making having the capacity for forgiveness as a necessary ingredient to being well round. He valued straight shooters and understood that humor was a good way to smooth sharp edges on difficult subjects. He appreciated those with pure character.
I thought his Complete Autobiography was one of the worse books I have ever read, Maybe that’s just me. Too long, too.
Special song of the era?
Don’t know why but listening to Steely Dan’s “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” on the way to a race turned my mind around to “Have-No-Mercy Hank.” I could compete with a cold heart, as they say in cycling.
Favorite comedian?
Jim Gaffigan. So funny and so unique in the way his voice changes between his being the character to the voice of the audience thinking about some craziness he just said. Funny takes on but a morsel of any subject.
What was your best stretch of running and why do you think you hit that level at that time?
My best stretch of running was between 1980-85. It takes a while, for me anyway, to accumulate, jell and deepen all the necessary ingredient to master any endeavor. Gaining the endurance. Stringing together consistency in training. Developing the proper training method and rhythm. Racing a variety of running disciplines – indoor, outdoor track, XC, hill climbs, road racing – to stay fresh, excited and motivated. I would also say that New England in the ‘80s, with its depth of running talent, was an example of how excellence becomes contagious as everyone pushes themselves to keep up with the herd. You find that now with all the fast milers popping up in the US. If you wanted to have your name in the Boston Globe running results section come Mondays, you had to make sure you could run fast. Lots of races, lots of talent lots of exposure. It was a good time to be good.
What was your edge?
Well, I guess it starts out with genetics and being gifted with a text book good running physique. Then you have to have the desire to excel burning in the gut. You have to be a bit selfish and prioritize running and competing a little higher than may be healthy and having a family that recognizes the talent, desire and the need to let it flourish. I was lucky to have all that, appreciate it and not squander the good fortune to have all of it.
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2022 Inductee The Maine Sports Hall of Fame
Hank Pfeifle
Born on February 21st, 1951 in New York, New York
Education:
Phillips Academy – Andover (1969)
University of Vermont (1973)
Hank Pfeifle’s family owned the Sugarloaf Inn so he literally grew up on the mountain as a ski racer. He earned four varsity letters skiing at Phillips Academy and then earned another four skiing for the University of Vermont, with a concentration in cross country skiing. During his senior year at UVM, he took up cross country running whereupon he earned team MVP honors and set several course records.
After graduation, Hank returned to Maine where he embarked on a truly world-class cross-country career spanning the 70’s and 80’s. He set numerous course records amongst his nineteen Maine victories some of which still stand.
Hank would have won more races had he stayed in Maine. However, as Maine running expert and author Ed Rice wrote, “Hank Pfeifle wasn’t just interested in scoring victories; he was eager to test himself against the best runners America had to offer in an era that was to become something of a Golden Age for the sport of long-distance running.”
He ran seven marathons in 2:21 or less. Among those was a 2:20:34 at Boston in 1980, which was the fastest by a Mainer at that time. Bill Rodgers won. It was a race made famous by Rosie Ruiz who crossed the finish line first only to lose the laurel wreath when it was discovered that she took the subway to near the finish. His personal record (PR) in the marathon is 2:16:27 which he ran when he finished 14th. at the Tenneco Marathon in Houston in January of 1985. He was 15th at Chicago in 1983 when he ran 2:17:46. He was second in the Marine Corp Marathon in 1981 when he ran 2:17:51.
He qualified for the Olympic Trials in the Marathon in 1980 and 1984. Maine Runner Magazine named him Maine Runner of the Year in 1980, 1981 and 1982.
When he did race in Maine, he was at the front of the pack. Among his victories was a 3.4 mile race up Sugarloaf Mountain, which Hank ran in 31:34.
His running career alone, would qualify Hank for induction, but in 1991, at the age of 40, he took up cycling and had an HOF-worthy career in that sport as well.
He progressed quickly through the ranks to achieve a Category 1 ranking – the highest possible among amateurs.
Along the way, he won an age group world title at the 1998 World Masters Games (45-49), age group national titles at the USA Cycling Masters Nationals in 2012 and 2016 (60-64 and 65-69 respectively). Hank was also seventh at the 1999 UCI World Road Championships held in St. Anton, Austria. He was on the podium seven times at Masters National Championships.
In the New England region. He had numerous victories in the early 21st Century including Lake Sunapee, Bob Beall Stage Race, Saco Criterium and the Jiminy Peak Road Race among others.
Hank held management positions with Nike and Cole Haan. Upon his induction in the Maine Running Hall of Fame, his wife Beth observed, “Nike planted Hank in a well-fertilized environment where sport was king. The balance of family, work, and running has kept him rejuvenated.”
Hank and Beth, who married in 1973, have three children: Kristie, Mitch, and Brooke.
The Maine Sports Hall of Fame is proud to welcome this remarkable multi-sport endurance athlete.
Source:https://www.mshof.com/
Personal bests
Asked Hank Pfeifle if those times look right. He believes his legit road 10K is 29:16. He even provided a copy of the results. Another top finish, another misspelling.
Performances
Database updated with data from 04 Oct 2024 00:10:30.
I’m Still Deducing
Top Row L-R Dr. Mike Pollock, Kenny Moore, Steve Prefontaine, DON KENNEDY, Ted Casteneda, Philip Ndoo, HANK PFEIFLE, Dr. Kenneth Cooper. Middle Row: Jeff Galloway, Doug Brown, Russell Pate, Perry Pittman, Gary Tuttle, Richard Pettigrew, Mike Manley. Bottom Row: BOB COLMAN, Ron Wayne, Jim Johnson, Paul Geis, Don Kardong, Unidentified, Frank Shorter.
I’ll get it yet. Pfeifle, Hank Pfeifle. Original Gangster Of Running.