Have you ever met an elite runner? What were they like?

Ok, here's a funny one:

Early 90s, some quiet meet at UVic Stadium, BC.

(TMI Alert:)

I'm taking a piss at the urinal. Door opens. Click...click...click...Dude takes a piss beside me. Spikes on!!

"Oh. You are racing soon?" I say.

A very pleasant / quick conversation ensued. This guy was doing an 800m time trial. He sounded Ozzie. "Well, Just Giver!" I concluded.

It was Simon Doyle! 😂 I didn't know it during the piss. He was visiting a new coach/physio in Canada for a stint.

Nice guy!!

Athletes in sports like the NBA are weird because they are super rich, can't go out in public without being mobbed, and hang out with other popstars. No pro runners have that level of fame or wealth so they seem like more normal people.

Canadians of a certain age will know Jeff Scheibler.

I had numerous talks with him over many meets, from his teens to his late career, and I'm sure he never figured out my name. 😂 Why would he? I was just That Guy At Meets who chatted with him.

I think he was kind of shy, actually.

But he was always very kind - he never brushed me off (maybe he wanted to?) 😂

Alright!!!

The Greatest Of Them All for me: (And I really hope he sees this!) 😂

Art Boileau!!!

Canadians of a certain age will recognize this guy as a superb runner from 70s to 90s - he went to two Olympics and numerous World XC. Idk how many 2:11s he ran, when 2:11 kicked ass...

I watched this guy in awe over many meets / years....

Then there was this coaching course in '95 ish....There he was!! I bowed to the great man. I gushed. He kicked my ass!! 😂 "Yeah, whatever Dude" seemed to be his thing. I think we connected. Some late night alcohol events followed.

Art is the least "self centered" elite ever. Some people might spend hours/days around him, and never know his running greatness. There's not a single bone in his body that is "Hey I Ran Big".

Art - I love you Man!! 😂

I was on a flight with probably the best mountain runner in history, Kilian Jornet. Talked to him before the flight while we were waiting. Really nice guy. I want to say he was flying back after winning Hardrock 100. When I joked about running a race on the east coast in the summer he laughed and went "no no no, too much heat and humidity."

I met Syd at a football game a few months after Doha World Champs 2019. She seemed happy to be recognized by someone who knew her event and was open, cheery and talkative...a stark contrast to the clipped and guarded persona she would present to the media in the coming years.

Your question is also an assumption, an incorrect assumption. Being an elite athlete does not make a person any different from the general population when it comes to personality.

Wait—you’re from up island?!

Recently met Andy Buchanan. Totally normal, down to earth and humble.

No substantial conversation, but I saw Meb Keflezighi at Logan airport after the Boston Marathon. 90+% of the people in the airport didn’t know who he was.

I told him “great race” and he was as nice as you’d expect. Shook my hand and was happy to take a photo with me.

Met Billy Mills at a local race where he was the celebrity announcer. He could not have been more kind, gracious, and willing to chat.

I met Andy Butchart in Castellón in February. Really chilled, down to earth guy. He probably asked me more questions than I was able to fire at him in the couple of minutes we spoke. Wishing him all the best for the rest of 2025, he told me there was no way he'd run another marathon so look out for him on the track this summer!

I was in a low level pro group 30 years ago. I raced against some real pros. My son has raced a lot of the top current pros.

Have met and know many. They are all skinny. By and large, most are nice people (like runners in general). The characteristic that separates them from their peers is typically their dedication and consistency. Some are genetic freaks, but most just have the laser focus required to excel.

John Walker at the track where Sam Tanner and Sam Ruthe now train in New Zealand back in the 80s. He ran a sub 4 mile on the grass that day! Super nice guy. Happy to give out tons of autographs and chat with everyone.

I lived with an Olympic runner for a number of years. They were very laid back and easygoing, and obviously lived a very healthy lifestyles in their sleep, eating, and routine. However, they did not have much agency or knowledge about their own training, and parroted their coach. Normally I’d call this a flaw in your responsibilities as an athlete, but they had tons of success training/racing like this. They had a few interpersonal issues with SOs and were a little selfish, but I think this is one of the reasons why they were good. Not someone I would want as a leader on a team, but absolutely someone I’d love to coach.

Met Alan Webb after a his workout at a meet at JMU. He brought a keg in his truck but then some Karen complained and we weren't able to hammer beers. Sat next to his dad in the stands. Very normal guy who speaks fast.

People sometimes forget that these guys are human... You might meet a guy on one day and he will be the greatest guy ever... But you might meat him on another day and you might think he is a jerk.

We have to realize that famous people go through this constantly. Having to engage the public. And having these random people expect you to treat them with interest and respect.

I know if I were famous... it would be overwhelming. As a result, I would probably not do very well and would be considered an jerk. In reality, it is because I couldn't handle it.

As it is, I don't have to engage with strangers to that degree... and it isn't too hard to be pleasant and meet their expectations as a fellow stranger.

I once met Adult/Glitter in person. Total dbag.