I ran a race today and had the privileged of chatting up a storm w/ Benji Durden. Wow, what an athlete.

Durden did not win OTs and Beardsley had better progression.

Really supportive response. Kid meets one of the mainstays of the running boom.

OP, Durden did come out of nowhere but we were seeing that all over. His Boston run had us wondering if he'd get the win. I remember talking with my buddy about that Colorado altitude when he came on the seen.

I'm always impressed when meeting that generation of runners. They left it all on the road.

If you haven't read the Tom Fleming thread.

Durden's story is inspiring enough without bending the facts.

Was at the 1984 marathon trials that ended at Niagra falls. Saw Benji stop on the side of the road to remove his socks then he jumped back in the race. I snagged them. Cool as anything with an embroided Swoosh on each one.

I raced against Benji in a couple of local races around ten years ago. One of them was the Atlanta Track Club Run Around the Mountain 15K. I expected to come in first in my age group because I didn't see anybody my age pass me. When I finished I saw there was already a time card in my age group basket. I couldn't believe it, so I asked the timer how that was possible and she said "Yeah, well, look at the name". He beat me by two or three minutes. Pissed me off.

Wonderful human being as well!

I stand corrected - I did in fact get his story wrong. He was second in the OT's not first, my bad. He was first in Houston and I mistakenly thought that was in the OT's.

No big deal, there's so much wrong stuff "intentionally "posted on these boards that you mistakenly thinking of a different race is water under the bridge. Kudos for admitting it, a rarity in itself. Ciao:)

ColoradoSpringsBaldGuy wrote:

I stand corrected - I did in fact get his story wrong. He was second in the OT's not first, my bad. He was first in Houston and I mistakenly thought that was in the OT's.

And he is a really nice guy still, and very friendly to other runners.

Those Niagra Falls trials were insane.. The guy who got third place AFTER being hobbled through one of the aide stations?? Heroic. What was his name again?

Benji is a great guy who will share his training and racing tips with just about anyone who asks. He's also posted on LRC in the past.

Great guy, and like so many runners of that era, no ego. Just a lot of guys putting in a ton of miles and winning a lot of races.

EZ10Miler wrote:

Great guy, and like so many runners of that era, no ego. Just a lot of guys putting in a ton of miles and winning a lot of races.

Lots of ego.

I believe he had one marathon DNF before the 2:36 but regardless, his 2:20 from '76 was much more indicative of his potential. I don't know the details or circumstances around that 2:36 but my guess is he significantly underperformed in that race.