We're a few hours late on wishing Bill a happy 70th:
We're a few hours late on wishing Bill a happy 70th:
Happy Birthday Bill! You were my first running hero, and the reason I became enamored with the marathon. This was back in the days when we would look at your accomplishments with a sense of wonder and possibility - not suspicion. I miss those days. One of the biggest thrills of my running life was when you emerged from the sideline crowd at the 1996 Boston Marathon to take your starting position right next to me (thanks for taking me right out of my pre-race mental tempest). You will always be on the Mt. Rushmore of American distance running. Thank you, and Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday, Bill. I met you, Frank Shorter, and Jim Ryun at a road race in 1995. I got my picture taken with you...I still have that on my desk! You and Frank ran the race and I actually beat you both! Very exciting for a college kid. You are and will always be one if the greats!
Happy birthday, Bill, only a day late. I was only 1:16 slower than you in the marathon, as in one hour and sixteen minutes, not one minute and sixteen seconds. When I lived in Boston and watched you run (when I wasn't in the same race), it was a delight and inspiration. Though you didn't know me, you treated me as a friend -- as you did everyone -- before and after races. You're one class act, Bill. Thanks for the memories, and best wishes!
Happy Birthday Bill!
You are the biggest inspiration I’ve ever had in running.
Happy birthday, Bill. I have a clipping of this photo, beside my computer, of you stopping mid-race to tie your shoes on the way to setting an AR. I don't know why, but I really like the photo. I see it before almost every run I do. You are an inspiration to us all.
... I think one of the reasons I love the photo because of all the kids riding their bikes beside you. Boston must have been great back then when this type of scene was possible.
One of the best running photos I've seen. Happy Birthday dude.
You were a true pioneer of the sport. I remember reading stories of the GBTC in the 70's where a bunch of them lived in an efficiency apartment that was so small that they took turns with one of them sleeping with their feet out in the hallway. Whether true or not, this typifies the true amateurism of American distance running of the 70's.
70? That can't be right. Uh-oh, just realized I'll be 53 tomorrow.
Happy Birthday Bill!!
Of the 59 marathons Bill Rodgers ran, 28 were under 2:15.
He ran a 2:18:17 at age 40.
In 1978 he won 27 of the 30 races he entered, including Falmouth road race... Boston marathon...and the NYC marathon.
Wow:
4 wins at the Boston marathon.
4 wins at the NYC marathon.
Was this race actually Bill's fastest marathon?
1976 Sado Island, Japan (2:08:23) 1st , CR (200 meters short)
Bill Rodgers is also the former world record holder for 25 kilometers as he broke Pekka Päivärinta's world record with a time of 1:14.11.8 on a track at West Valley College in Saratoga, California in 1979.
30 kilometers: 1:29:04 in 1976 = Unofficial World Road Record
Bill's 30k time is equivalent to a 2:08:30 marathon.
Happy Birthday Bill Rogers. Not talked about often but wasn't Bill a hell of a masters runner with several/many records?
I would put 28 sub-2:15s above 100 sub-4 miles. I wonder where Yuji is on this one?
When I was a (hopelessly mediocre) high school runner, Bill was everyone's hero. This was before money, oxygen tents, and no one wondered if a new record was due to drugs. Miss those days. Went to college in Boston and loved his running store, which closed a couple years ago when Bill and his brother and others moved to retirement age.
In about 1980 Onitsuka Tiger released a racing flat called the XBR, the thinking being it was Bill's racing flat. I got a pair -- and I cannot for the world of me understand how anyone could run fast in that. it seemed to have no cushioning. Polar opposite of the Nike Vaporfly 4%. Bill was just made of different cloth.
Happy Birthday King of the Roads. -- Spidey
(clearing throat).
Do ra me fa sooooo laaaa.
ok..ready.
a one, a two, a three ( snapping fingers, tapping toes).
Happy birthday to you
happy birthday to you.
haaapppiiieee birthhhhday dear billllllyyyy..
happy burrrtthhhhday toooo youuuuuu!.
Happyyyyy B day Billy!
Hiya Patti. [ . . . I think you're singing voice is better than mine].
Granted, Mr. Rodgers ran 59 marathons which, while impressive, doesn't compare to Dane Rauschenberg completing 52 marathons in one calendar year.
Happy Birthday, Bill, from Geoff - who was in Miami in those thrilling, and fun, days of yesteryear. I’m ten years ahead of you and still going..... semi-strong. So hang in there. There are good days ahead if we just outlast the orange haired guy in the White House
Happy Birthday, Bill! I saw you winning Falmouth in '77. You were my inspiration to start running.
Was at the Asbury Park 10K luncheon , 1987.... This very nice young man comes up to say how great it was to finally meet me ... had no idea who he was, just a really friendly , gregarious guy ... after he left the table, one of my buddies chimes in “Isn’t Bill Rogers the nicest guy.” Being rather clueless, had no idea was talking to my all time running hero !!!!!
1:49.84 - 800m Freshmen National Record - Cooper Lutkenhaus (check this kick out!!)
Emma Coburn to miss Olympic Trials after breaking ankle in Suzhou
Jakob on Oly 1500- “Walk in the park if I don’t get injured or sick”
VALBY has graduated (w/ honors) from Florida, will she go to grad school??
Men who run twice a day and the women who love/put up with them