LiveLongandProsper wrote:
wejo wrote: I am totally shocked. Nobody represented more what it means to be a runner than Ed.For once, just once, ever, I find myself agreeing with wejo here. Strongly.
I disagree. Nobody represented more what it means to be a RACER.
It certainly is not shocking to hear of the death of an 86 year old. However, this man was not your ordinary 86 year old. Alas, death spares no one. RIP Ed Whitlock.
Dang... what an inspiration.
+100. Get on it, brojos and staff
Harambe wrote:
RIP Ed. A legend.
I hope a black page is on the way for him.
Heart and soul of distance running. He's the model.
george oscar bluth wrote:
That's sad. I didn't even know he was battling cancer.
I'm guessing Ed would have known for quite a while he had prostate cancer, but, to my knowledge, being the man he was he never once mentioned it. Sad news.
I recall him saying once to the effect that it wasnt running that he cared for so much but RACING. He ran so he could race, I thought the honesty refreshing.
Ed was a stud.
I ran the famous Around The Bay race in Hamilton (this race is older than Boston) with him for a bit. He was a mere 65 then. he had the most amazing long stride, it was a wonder to watch.
"Nobody represented more what it means to be a runner than Ed."
That sums it up.
While I am sad at his passing, it's great that not only was he able to race/ break records for years. He actually knew that he was an inspiration to many.. (even if it made him a little uncomfortable).
RIP to a truly great man.
He was one of the great ones.
There are many different ways to be great at running.
He created his own category. And I don't mean just a masters runner but someone that has made great athletic performances.
I ran fast in my youth. I cannot conceive of doing the running performances he did at advanced ages.
If idiots like Rossi and Young can get a thread with thousands of posts, I hope that Ed and his family should get a big response of well wishes from LRC. So thank you Ed for your example of what dedication and hard work can accomplish, no matter what your age. You will be remembered and missed for a very long time. RIP
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
But O heart! heart! heart!
O the bleeding drops of red,
Where on the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
Here Captain! dear father!
This arm beneath your head!
It is some dream that on the deck,
You’ve fallen cold and dead.
My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
Exult O shores, and ring O bells!
But I with mournful tread,
Walk the deck my Captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.
This is sad to hear, and it makes his performance last October stand out even more. RIP Ed, an inspiration to many, in his own unassuming humble way.
RIP Mr. Whitlock
what a humble, inspiring man.
RIP to a great whose internal compass was strong and who was authentically himself to the end. He's an inspiration to me as I turned 40 this year and am thinking long and hard about the second half of my life.
Runs 3:56 with prostate cancer ...?!
OMG.
Just brings mortality closer... if HE could die at a mere 86... The Langoliers be comin', be comin' for me and comin' for thee.
Rest in peace, Ed.
Such a fascinating life. Here he posted about teaming with Alan Turing in a multi-leg race in England in '49: