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1976-2001 Over the weekend, we received the tragic news that former University of Connecticut distance running star Travis Landreth, 24, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, suddenly died while on a training run in Palo Alto, CA on Friday. Landreth, the first Big East champion in cross-country ever for the University of Connecticut (victorious in 1997), will be greatly missed by all. Landreth was heading out on a tempo run with other members of the Nike Farm Team when he went down without warning. He was pronounced dead 2 hours later at the hospital and either died from an aneurysm or possible heart attack (For more info, see a story from Landreth's home-town paper.) . Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Landreth family and the friends of Travis. While we did not personally know Travis, his untimely death has touched deeply. It reminds us how precious our lives are. As you head out on your runs this week, take a moment to think of Travis, say a prayer for his family, then make a little extra effort to get the most out of your run and your week in honor of Travis. Below, you will find a former teammate's touching remembrance of Travis. If you have a special remembrance of Travis that you would like us to publish, please e-mail us. New Remembrance from competitor who Travis inspired to run I hope that every individual out there that has laced up a pair of spikes and thrown on a singlet has the chance to run alongside somebody like Travis Landreth. This was the guy that showed up as a freshman at UConn and ran the shorts off of everybody, but we couldn't help but love him because he was laughing and talking your ear off the entire time. When coach sent us off in no particular direction, we knew that Travis was headed straight for the deepest mud he could find, and he was bringing us with him. He was the crazy one, the guy that would drive to Boston in the middle of night to help me cover a marathon story for the school paper, or who would run a naked quarter without even a double dare. My best image of Travis: When he returned from the World Cross Country Championships in Durham, England, Travis strutted around in our dorm for a month in a pair of obnoxious green Jamaican National Team tights, and a teal jacket that he had traded away from a New Zealand runner. He thought he looked great. Those years, when the quick splits came easy and the best part of the week was the bus ride home from the meet, were some of the best of our lives. I was lucky, so extremely lucky, to share mine with someone who shone as brightly as Travis. Please keep Travis and his family in your thoughts. I don't run anymore, but today, I'll take one for Travis. It's raining here in Illinois, and the mud should be perfect. Run on, Travis. We love you. |