Lynchburg 10 miler 1979

What do you want to know about the race? The race is in 2 weeks so I am quite busy but will happily answer any question you have. You know any American elites / subelites who want to run let me know.

I was there. Met Viren, stayed in the same hotel as Greta Waitz. I have the book from that year. I'll dig up some results when I can find the book. Viren and Shorter ran together and I was close enough behind them to see Viren slip and fall in the wet leaves. Shorter waited on him. I went 55:55 but they "jogged" a 50 or something and left me far behind.

Ex Coach wrote:

You know any American elites / subelites who want to run let me know.

Is it back to having an elite section? I ran it maybe 4 years ago? and was disappointed that such a historically prestigious race had no elites in it.

Great story--Results would be appreciated.

The great runners of the 1970's seemed to race much more than today's elites.

Viren ran 37 races in 1975. It seems like many of the modern era elites substitute race simulation workouts in lieu of actual races. Perhaps at the expense of the sport. I believe Brendon Foster ran the 1979 Lynchburg

10 miler?

This particular race was actually quite unique in terms of how the race was set up. AS I recall, the race director (name escapes me), set up the race as a team competition between a team from Boston, led by Bill Rodgers and other BAA runners; a British team, led by Brendan Foster; and a Boulder based team, led by Frank Shorter. Lasse Viren also raced, which leads me to believe that maybe the European team was the Brits+Viren, but I could be wrong. So basically it was like an XC race with the scoring. Actually an great concept and ahead of its time in my opinion.

The results are out there somewhere but I think Herb Lindsay won; Rodgers 2nd; Foster 3rd; times in mid 47 min for first 2.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Ex Coach wrote:

You know any American elites / subelites who want to run let me know.

Is it back to having an elite section? I ran it maybe 4 years ago? and was disappointed that such a historically prestigious race had no elites in it.

Yes, there were a lot of elites last year. I believe the winner ran 47 minutes, fast for such a difficult course.

I believe Genworth is now sponsoring the race and has invested heavily in it.

There are all sorts of financial incentives for times, course records, place, etc.

Sub 55 or 33.11 will get elite status.

I ran it for the first time last year and it was an awesome race. Going back this year.

1. Lindsay 47:02

2. Rodgers 47:14

3. Foster 47:53

4. Roche 48:09

5. Shorter 48:14

6. Viren 48:27

There was a decent elite field the past 2 years. I believe it will be the same again this year. Isn't this race the 2014 10 Mile Road Championship?

GENWORTH wrote:

Yes, there were a lot of elites last year. I believe the winner ran 47 minutes, fast for such a difficult course.

I believe Genworth is now sponsoring the race and has invested heavily in it.

There are all sorts of financial incentives for times, course records, place, etc.

Sub 55 or 33.11 will get elite status.

I ran it for the first time last year and it was an awesome race. Going back this year.

That's awesome. The course and race was really fun but pretty small and no elites. Good to see some life pumped back into it. Glad I ran it when I had the chance.

1) Grete Waitz: 53:05

2) Marge Rosasco: 59:46

3) Kitty Consolo: 61:43

4) Ellison Goodall: 63:53

5) Toni Bernhard: 64:09

Men: Top 6 as previously listed.

7) Stan Mavis: 48:49

8) Randy Thomas: 48:54

9) Barry Smith: 49:15

10) Mark Anderson: 49:25

11) Barry Brown: 49:48

1716 men

230 women

Thanks for the results and great stories.

Think Barry Brown ran the Montreal Marathon a few weeks before.

Regarding Viren falling...I recall that he, Viren, had slowed/stopped briefly for a runner who had fallen near him during the race. Not that it matters, especially if you were close enough to witness it, but that is how I recall it being discussed afterward. Funny how things get turned around even right after the race, much less 35 years later.

The runner who fell was named Tony Stynings (spelling?) I believe. I have a copy of the program.

VAoldtimerunner wrote:

Regarding Viren falling...I recall that he, Viren, had slowed/stopped briefly for a runner who had fallen near him during the race. Not that it matters, especially if you were close enough to witness it, but that is how I recall it being discussed afterward. Funny how things get turned around even right after the race, much less 35 years later.

You could be right, I was not really close and its been a very long time. I remember Shorter waiting on Viren though and it looked like he was getting up. He could have been helping someone else up. I also remember Shorter and Viren taking off like rockets after that. I had gone out too fast and they had gone out jogging. That's the only reason I was anywhere close.

Still quite a race and the team competition aspect is something that might make other races a little more interesting. Great days indeed.