Larry Olsen RIP

Larry sold me my first pair of shoes when I was a middle schooler from his little upstairs shop in Milford. If not for him, I'm not sure I would have ever been as serious about the sport, and would have missed out on countless good memories involving running.

Larry taught me to be a student of the game. Anyone who knew him is aware that he would know not just his own race results, but all of YOURS as well. He loved to talk training and his passion was simply infectious.

It seems too late to do it personally now, but thanks for everything Larry, we'll miss you.

Run In Peace

my sympathies to Larry's family & friends

Larry was a great competitor. Right out of college in 1984 I came down to run a Dannon Yogurt race on a very hot day. Larry was there and pushed the pace the entire way while I hung on thinking "Man, this Is one tough ole Geezer". I warmed down with Larry 20 years after that at a GrandPre race where he went over facts and figures of recently posted times and races for several runners on my team. He then summarized my own running in about 3 minutes. Larry seemed to know more about my own racing, condition, and ability over the years then I did. I will miss not getting chance to race and run with Larry again.

Larry, you were a great guy and one hell of a tough runner! I admired your passion and love for the sport. I listened to countless stories from my father about how some of his toughtest run were "training runs" with you. R.I.P. and God Bless.

Here's the piece on Larry from the Jan/Feb issue of Running Times, which subscribers start to receive this week:

http://www.runningtimes.com/Article.aspx?ArticleID=18305

I've been training hard lately just so I could go to a race and run beside Larry and make him worry. I just turned 60 this year and planned to pull up along side and watch him explode into one of his surges like in our many battles in previous decades.

Tom

very sad and stunned to read about Larry he will be missed and was a true fixture of the New England running community. On the other hand for him to be called when he was out for a run was a real gift, but way to early. We will miss you Larry.

Want to add to my earlier post that it was Millis High School. He was my main running coach; made me feel special and motivated me to run well. I bought my first pair of running shoes (Etonics) from him at his Millis FrontRunner shop in 1981. I remember hanging out there in late summer and running with his group in preparation for the upcoming XC season. I thought I was a hotshot (thanks to his encouragement), but he could easily put me in my place with his signature running style that carried him at a deceptively and ridiculously fast pace. He was a quiet and devoted hero who brought countless young men and women into the sport of running and helped nurture what for many became a lifelong endeavor. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Coach.

jim h wrote:

Larry legend passed today while on a training run

a new england institution Larry was a wonderful guy, great coach and runner

Yes, he certainly was a New England legend and institution. But I might add, runners in Minnesota (where I have lived) were impressed with the quality and QUANTITY of his racing. We used to get ahold of some of the old New England running magazines, and it seemed as though Larry won at least half of those races...from 3m to the marathon! It's impressive that he continued to run and race ( at a high level) his whole life. Few runners I know can do that, and it is a testimony to his obvious love of the sport. It has to be a very tough loss for the folks who knew him, especially the girls he coached so passionately. My condolences to his family and friends.

I never knew/met the guy but I remember running at a July summer 5 miler in Lowell, MA a few years ago. As I was warming up, I saw this tanned super-fit older guy with incredibly low bodyfat warming up and wearing the Nike orange/yellow Mayfly flats. Turns out he was age 58 then and was able to run 5:50s average pace for 5 miles to come in the top 5. Damn he was fast.

I'm assuming this is he I saw warming up that 90 degree day because he came in the top that year and there was nobody that fit at his age. He stood out with his incredible fitness for his age.

RIP man.

I'm curious as to what we as super fit runners in our super-masters years can do to avoid these things, but it seems like it happens to some very fit runners while they're out doing what they love.

That's bad news. I met Larry only once, at the Bridge of Flowers race in Mass. He passed me at about 4 miles as I was gasping for air after that huge hill. We chatted for 5-10 min. What an engaging and fun guy to talk to! My condolences to his friends and family.

I was also at that Dannon race, although quite farther back. The last time Larry and I met, at 60 he beat me at the 2007 Marathon Sports 5 miler. He thereafter talked trash to me, although he probably didn't think he was. The "trash" indicated he knew exactly where, when and how fast I'd been racing and why didn't I step it up, like he did. He always reached for the gold, and I admire his intensity and guts. We all should be that way for a part of our lives. He did it for his entirety.

Everyone in the New England running community is saddened by this news. Larry was the hardest working racer I ever interviewed. Nobody gave a greater effort, regardless the place he was fighting for. And as he aged his passion never subsided. I will always remember him head down, arms pumping, living the moment to its fullest, the very heart of the sport he loved so much.

One of my fondest running memories has to do with Larry Olsen. Braintree Hospital 10k, mid 80s. I was a decent local runner in my prime and he was already a master. We battled it out for the whole race and he outkicked me at the end. For me it was a great race and very close to my PR, for him probably just another win (sub 32:00 as a master!). Great competitor and an inspiration to many. In terms of why, who knows? But I'd love to go out the same way(just not for awhile).

I remember racing Larry at the Wednesday night track meets held at Bowditch Field.I had just graduated from high school. Larry had a steely look in his eye and a determined expression on his face.After the race his complimented me on pushing the pace. Of course his won the race.

I just wanted to share this facebook page with everyone here. It was set up to share memories of Larry, so please feel free to join or even just look and the kind words others have to say.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/group.php?gid=210509501416&ref=nf

Very sad.

When I started running road races in New England as an 18 year old back in 1976, Larry was one of the runners I looked up to. I remember two occasions when I thought I could beat him. One was a 4 mile race and we were right together going into the finish. Only problem was that there was also an 8 miler and Larry continued on to the second loop for the win!

The other was the Milford 8 miler. It was very hot and I lead the entire way until Larry came by me with a half to go to win. I learned later that I was indeed the winner as Larry was just doing a workout and had not entered! To this day I still know I was 2nd.

My thoughts go out to Larry, his family friends and anyone who was lucky enough to know him.

Dina

If anyone finds out wake or funeral information please post it. thanks.

Hello. I am Larry's niece. My mother is his sister. She just finished making arrangements. Calling hours will be on Tuesday December 15th at Ross Funeral Home in Wrentham Massachusetts from 4-8PM. There is also a scholarship being set up for the Hopedale Track Team (I am sure he wouldn't be too jazzed up about flowers!).

Thank you all for the wonderful words about my uncle. Unfortunately, I never got the running gene. I have been running for the past year - not easy for me I am slow slow slow - and had a completely new level respect for Uncle Larry once I realized what he achieved.

Kari Christiansen