Category Archives: In Memoriam

The Gift

Posted on May 10, 2020 by Jon Waldron
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Remembering Jim Blackburn

Posted on March 25, 2019 by Jon Waldron

Newton North Varsity XC at Franklin Park, November 10, 2001 “Once thinking I was destined to be mediocre at pretty much everything, the fact that [Coach Blackburn] believed in me made me more confident and driven than I’d ever been … Continue reading →

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Roger Bannister’s Century

Posted on March 5, 2018 by Jon Waldron

“Records are the bare bones of athletics, like numbers to a mathematician. Unless given a human touch they have no life, no appeal. Statisticians may juggle with them, some perhaps finding in their concentration on record figures a vicarious fulfillment … Continue reading →

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In Memoriam: Tom Fleming

Posted on April 21, 2017 by Jon Waldron

“He was high energy, very empathetic, and had a remarkable ability to reach a wide range of kids, boys and girls. He didn’t run an easy classroom but it was a great classroom. Third graders who heard about him kept … Continue reading →

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Remembering Ed Whitlock

Posted on March 20, 2017 by Jon Waldron

“Where have all the heroes gone? They’ve gone with the simplicities and the pieties and the easy answers of another era. But that may not be all bad … not if our lack of such easy heroes can be an … Continue reading →

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Miruts Yifter’s Legacy

Posted on December 28, 2016 by Jon Waldron

  It was a pivotal moment in the history of distance running, and I missed it.

Posted in In Memoriam, Olympics | Tagged , | 2 Comments

In Memoriam: Colin Welland

Posted on November 13, 2015 by Jon Waldron

The working title of the script was originally “Runners” — about as boring as you could imagine. In retrospect, the whole project seems beyond improbable. David Puttnam, who would produce the film, happened to be convalescing from a case of the flu … Continue reading →

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Remembering Ron Clarke

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Jon Waldron

“There was Paavo Nurmi, the greatest of the generation of Flying Finns, Emil Zatopek, who shattered notions about training and racing hard, Abebe Bikila and Kip Keino, the vanguard of the east African revolution. And there was Clarke. Clarke showed … Continue reading →

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From the Archives: Larry’s Legacy

Posted on December 5, 2014 by Jon Waldron

[Hard to believe it’s been five years since the day Larry Olsen headed out for a run from his house in Millis and never made it home.  He was 63 and still full of competitive spirit and a love for … Continue reading →

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Alan Turing the Runner

Posted on December 1, 2014 by Jon Waldron

There seems to be only one photograph of Alan Turing running. In it he appears to be finishing an event — perhaps his club’s 3-mile championship —  passing the finish post in first, but his form looks terrible. His arms … Continue reading →

Posted in Books and Movies, In Memoriam | Tagged , , | 18 Comments