Back in the day, when running was young, some of these “little” races could get competitive.
The headline read LYONS TAKES BENOIT’S RACE.
Brunswick, Maine. July 12, 1980. – The Maine Track Club had a five-mile race to honor Joan Benoit, but Patti Lyons-Catalano had something else on her mind – winning. Her 26:25 was too much for Benoit’s 26:42.
Judy McCrone (28:56) beat Robin Snyder (29:00) for third overall and first “non-famous” woman.
“Famous” best describes a number of the male participants, as several of The Boys From Boston showed up.
Greg Meyers outkicked Bill Rodgers as both finished in 23:19 (4:40 pace). Randy Thomas (23:28) did a job on Hank Pfeifel (23:50) and Bruce Bickford (23:53), while Jack Fultz ran 24:42 to finish 14th.
Some of these “little” races can get competitive.
– p. 57, Track & Field News, September 1980.
So, anyway, an old issue of Track & Field News floats by and I can’t help wondering if any of these Original Gangsters Of Running remember this race.
First guy I asked was Hank Pfeifle. Please note correct spelling.
Hmm .. don’t remember that one. How’d I do?
Real good. Fourth place between Randy & Bick.
I just did not recognize the name you had because it was actually the Cooks Corner Five-Mile race in Brunswick. Popped a good one that day in a stacked field. I had Bick on the ropes the week before in a Portland 4-mile 4th of July race but he gunned me down in the closing 200 meters.
Hank Pfeifle had the receipts.
Jack Fultz recalls the pain.
I tend to forget my disasters.
Without access to my old training logs, my recollection is that ’80 was a long year of injuries for me – didn’t run Boston or the Trials for that reason. Missed Boston ’79 due to a late season injury – I felt ready to contend again when that stress fracture in my tibia happened. ’81 was somewhat of a comeback year – then the wheels really started coming loose, eventually falling off. 🙂
Patti Dillon: As too the race. Maybe if I knew more, I’d remember.
From Boston ’80 on I remember I was on a mission. And I ran lots of races to toughen and experiment. Lots of miles 120 upwards. Unrelenting. I just remember inhaling at the start of races and the exhale at the finish line.
This would have been a race to remember, though. Great New England runners – best in the world – at one race, for free. Probably a great afterparty. Though I didn’t party during mission times.
Sorry, no recall. Though thank you for reminding me I handed it to Joanie.
Bill Rodgers: I remember the Maine race. I’m looking at my running log. Saturday July 12th 1980. I have ‘Headlined race/Maine am 5 Mi in 23:19. 2nd by one second. 4:35 first mile. p.m. rest.’
I did 138 miles the week before that race. I trained through a lot of my races, many of us did. Those were the days! I think in that race I believe there was a serious sponsorship. I believe I won a gift certificate certificate for like $750 or something and I got a sit-down lawn mower. Told them I had just bought a house in the country and a few acres of land and had to mow the lawn anyway.
Greg Meyer: I do. Billy and I broke away. He asked about tying. I said, ‘Billy, you got an appearance fee. I’m running for the prize.’ As we got close to the finish, we counted down to say “Go!” and sprint and I ended up just ahead. As I recall, he bought a chain saw with part of his fee, which I think was a $2000 gift card to Sears!
