Benji Durden

I won the first (1978) Cooper River the day after finishing 4th or 5th at the first Jacksonville river Run 15K. It wasn't sub 30 though I don't remember the exact time (I can look it up I suppose). I think it was sub 31:00. I didn't break 30 for 10K until 1979. I did do a run the evening before on the Isle of Palms (I don't remember how far or how fast) to 'warmdown' from the race that morning.

I ran the 25 mile realy several times. One year I ran leg one on on team in the low 23's (I think it was 23:10) and then ran the last leg for the "B" team 10 seconds slower. Those relays were a lot of fun.

I don't think I every had to go in the Coliseum because of a hurrican, but I went in there at least 6 times that I remember to avoid bad thunderstoms/tornado warnings. For those who don't know what we are talking about, the Coliseum concourse was a horse shoe shaped loop that ran along the inside of the seats and around behind them that was 400 yards long. My longest run in there was 23 miles.

When did you live in Athens?

Hey, Benji-

Wow - you are in good shape! Good to see you and Amie in Longmont on Saturday. Maybe see you at Potts on Turkey Day.

Diane

oldguy wrote:

Oh, and as you can see from Tabb's bio, he did run in the '86 Goodwill Games, so your memory is fine on that point.

If you read Tabb's bio some will be shocked to learn that Tabb was Meb's high school coach.

Another addition to your list2:12:39 4 Ron Tabb '80

Guiseppi wrote:

Good story Jungleroy59. Almost factual.

Ron Tabb did not make the 1980 team. That would be Tony Sandoval.

2:10:19 1 Tony Sandoval '80

2:10:41 2 Benji Durden '80

2:10:55 3 Kyle Heffner '80

2:11:42 1 Alan Culpepper '04

2:11:43 1 Pete Pfitzinger '84

2:11:44 2 Alberto Salazar '84

2:11:47 2 Meb Keflezighi '04

2:11:50 3 John Tuttle '84

2:11:51 1 Frank Shorter '76

2:11:58 2 Bill Rodgers '76

2:11:59 4 Dave Gordon '84

2:12:02 3 Dan Browne '04

2:12:25 5 Dean Matthews '84

2:12:35 4 Trent Briney '04

2:12:42 6 Tony Sandoval '84

Benji, when were you at UGA? and where did you do a lot of your training during that time? I would just like to know about the places that I run and if an all-time great has trained there as well

Thanks!

I lived in Athens from the fall of 1969 till 1976. I ran just about every road around. I used to run around the practice football fields a lot (barefooted) and on the trails in the Botanical gardens south of town. there were times when I would do laps in the cemetary east of the Fooltball stadium.

I didn't really become "great" till I moved over to the Atlanta area though, so my "great-runner" training was mostly around the Stone Mountain area.

If I'm correct you still hold the course record at the Paris Mountain 20K over near Greenville, SC (Furman Univ.), 1:05 on a tough course. It's coming up in a couple weeks, first Saturday in Dec. Was that from your days in Athens or Atlanta? Do you remember it?

I had forgotten that race, I don't remember the year, but I was in Stone Mountain and training with Lee Fidler who had the course record till I broke it. I don't think he was real happy when I decided to run the race and go after his record, but it was a challenge to see if I could. It was a hilly beast.

That is a great Athens story. 23 miles in the Coliseum. Damn. And I thought my 10 mile run on the UGA track was an impressive test of will.

Joe -- got on the track for the first time in two years a few weeks back. Bad news, but at least the achilles is holding up. Botanical is holding together, and we have a good new greenway that connects with trails out to Sandy Creek. Time to bring your bride to God's Country.

Brian

I'm going to be in Atlanta the 3rd week of December, hopefully I can get Lee Fidler and some others out for a run around Stone Mountain the 15th of December. I planning to run about 1:45 or so.

I should mention I have a very high boredom tolerance. When I lived in Stone Mountain one of my basic workouts was 2 1/2 hours on a trail in the woods that took me on average 3 minutes to cover. It had on uphill, on downhill and sevearl zigs and zags. I would just get on auto pilot and run till I was done with what I had planned for the run.

There is a thread out there addressing Benji's training. He was living in GA and got out there in Summer heat and humidity in sweats to better acclimate to racing conditions.... Hope he comes to Nationals, he is an inspiration. I still have a cardboard cup he autographed at an Avon Womens race back in the 80s and his philosophy is right there in his own words ALWAYS ENJOY YOUR RUNNING!

rebmevon wrote:

How did Benji train back in the day? Maybe someone (maybe even himself) can spell out what his training was like.

Benji, you should try to make a trip to the Bridge Run in 2005 and 2006. 2005 will be the last year of the current bridge and 2006 will be the first of the new bridge.

I usually score a local race that weekend but they may quit doing it since it has stopped growing so it might be possible. I don't think the current bridge is the one I ran in 1978, but I've not run it since the first couple years.

Those 5x5 mile road relays at Furman were something. The Atlanta track club brought a team to Greenville in the fall of '76 I think and they had an anchor man you folks may recognize from the NASCAR commentator ranks. One Bob Varsha!That boy was pretty fast. Think he ran about 23:40 for his leg. I thought I was crawling as he pulled away steadily on Roe Ford Rd. Actually he was just moving really fast.

typewriter wrote:

Benji, did you run the Furman Road Relays (5 guys X 5 miles). Atlanta always sent a team, and i seem to remember you, but it could be a false memory.

Bob was a good runner. He and trained together in Atlanta and tied at the Reedy River Run one year. He ran 2:15+ at the 1976 Trials and, like me, was part of the ATC 9-man world record 24 hour relay team.

Benji, I know you ran the Houston half marathon a few years back, any plans to do it again? With the race hosting the national championship in January, I'm sure the organizers would love to see you there!

benji what was it like to compete against guys like bill rodgers and greg meyer and alberto salazar etc in the old days? i remember you as a really gutsy runner that grinded out some fantastic marathon times despite not having fast 5d/10k times. thanks for your time and good luck!!