Larry Olsen RIP

I was lucky enough to race Larry when I was in my prime and he was in his 40's. He NEVER considered his age when it came to racing and made DAMN sure I didn't! He was timeless. The encouraging words he shared when we chatted at races I treasure to this day. He raced... old school, no wimps allowed, crawl to the finish kind of guy. A New England runner thru-and-thru. He's running a tempo with Johnny Kelley right now for sure.

I just saw in the Worcester T&G that Larry died Sunday.

I used to live in Ashland from '85-'94 and ran in many races that Larry ran and also frequented his store. I enjoyed talking to him about shoes and what races were upcoming and always looked for his race times in the magazines.

I now live in southwestern CT but will always think of Larry much like the late Jim Fixx, they loved running and died at their obsession. I am sure if Larry knew he was going, this would be what he would have wished. I am sure there will be a memorial run for Larry for many years to come.

I knew Larry Olsen as a Medf. HS runner in the late 70s early 80s when he was running the "Front Runner" store in Millis and coaching the Millis HS XC team. A remarkable individual. Always knew my recent result in any race when I came into the store. Elevated the Millis HS XC team to excellence in a very short time. Always cut a big savings off my shoe purchase whenever I bought a pair of shoes from him. Much to the loss of his own personal gain. I'll always count Larry into my early years initiation into running. I also watched in wonder at his road race performances in those years and have so since on coolrunning in the past decade. When my brother emailed me about Larry's passing I was laid out low for a 2 days. Just so sad.

Sorry to hear of Larry's passing....I was very much involved in the NE grand prix club races in the 70's-90's with the Cambridge Sports Union, so raced in the same races as Larry many times every year....but I never saw him during the races, only his back disappearing after the start. Yeah and I'm 5 years younger than he.

Run on, Larry....

Home /Globe /Obituaries

Larry Olsen, 63, was coach and distinguished marathoner

Larry Olsen operated a fitness store in Millis and Milford. (Bob Fitzgerald/ N.E. Runner)

By Marvin Pave

Globe Correspondent / December 9, 2009

Larry Olsen competed in more than 100 New England championship road races, winning 62 times in his age group. A 17th place finisher in the 1973 Boston Marathon and a two-time Olympic marathon trials qualifier, he was the reigning national record holder in two Men’s Masters categories.

http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/obituaries/articles/2009/12/09/larry_olsen_63_was_coach_and_distinguished_marathoner/

I never met Mr Olson but surely read about his many accomplishments and the many gifts he added to our sport. I lot a mentor, friend and coach many years ago as well so I can understand some of what you all must be feeling. (Please accept my deepest sympathies) I was also taught that especialy in running to respect you elders because anything we do has probably been done better and been done before.

Anyway, I do a little run down your way on Jan 1

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/01/01/a_running_start_to_2009/

Below is a excerpt that I think (hope) might apply here?

"For runners, the course is bigger than any of us," said Allen, a jack-of-all-trades who counts landscaping, farming, carpentry, boat-building, and lobstering among his professions. "I'm just a grain of sand on the beach. But during the run, when it's pitch dark and perfectly still, you can feel the energy. There have been so many dreams realized - and broken - along the road."

With that said it might be appropriate if any of you feel like joining be to run in honor and memory of Mr Olson. I'd love to hear stories. I'll start in Hopkinton at 6am sharp on Jan 1, 2010.

You can e-mail me at

racedirector@mdimarathon.org

This is a great idea though I won't be there. Just curious how fast you would run this- 7-8 minute pace?

Kevin Gray wrote:

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.

Larry was a legend and a tough runner!

Tell "lucky" rick says hi.

no set pace but will go as slow (within reason) as the slowest. this is not a race, tempo run or time trial. I just do this run as a meaningful and fun way to start the year over a very historic piece of road. Last year it was cold about 5 degrees at the start and 7 in Boston. From what I read about Mr Olson (RIP) he would probably have done this and probably has. Anyone is welcome to join me and we can share stories all the way to Copley Sq.

MarathonMind wrote:

This is a great idea though I won't be there. Just curious how fast you would run this- 7-8 minute pace?

If Henry Rono still posts here I wonder if he recalls the handicap race run from Larry's store back in the 80's?

Henry ran in that race. They (Larry and He) kicked my butt Soooooooooooo badly...

Mr. Olsen, God rest his soul, always saw the good and the strong in my elder daughter, who, though blessed with a natural talent for running long distance, suffered through a miserable adolescence and young womanhood and has not yet lived up to her potential. If she takes to heart the example of Larry Olsen's life, she one day surely will.

None of my daughter's myriad difficulties diminished Mr. Olsen's high regard for her, as a runner and as a young lady. We did not know Mr. Olsen well, but every time we ran into him, be it in Uxbridge, MA on a five-mile trail run or at the Stowe 8-Miler on a steamy July day, Mr. Olsen saw only my daughter's virtues and encouraged her unstintingly. Given Mr. Olsen's enormous talent for the sport and a career of astounding achievement, my daughter was compelled to take him seriously when she would scarcely give the time of day to anyone else.

I remember Mr. Olsen's reaction whenever he learned that my daughter had not won a race or had not run well or was battling yet another injury: he was surprised every time. In spite of my daughter's misfortunes, Mr. Olsen insisted on viewing her in the brightest possible light. He saw greatness in my daughter, and trusted that in time she would grow into it.

God bless you, Mr. Olsen, for seeing the best in my daughter and for lifting her spirits when no one else could.

Just recieved my Running Times in the mail yesterday with a great article on him. R.I.P Larry Legend.

My condolences to Larry's family and close friends. Larry belongs among an elite group of great New England runners.

What an inspirational figure!

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

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

Many guys in the club nationals master's XC in Lexington, Kentucky wore "Legend" stickers on their racing shirts to remember Larry.

Tom

Calling hours will be on Tuesday December 15th at Ross Funeral Home in Wrentham Massachusetts from 4-8PM.

Derderian wrote:

Many guys in the club nationals master's XC in Lexington, Kentucky wore "Legend" stickers on their racing shirts to remember Larry.

Tom

That is a GREAT way to honor Larry... Racing hard and enjoying the sport.

REMINDER:

Calling hours will be on Tuesday December 15th at Ross Funeral Home in Wrentham Massachusetts from 4-8PM.

It was heart warming to see the turnout for Larry this PM.

Seeing all the people, all the photos and memorabilia which was on display pertaining to his life and his running was very poignant.

In every race you ran you strived to be in the lead. But in the most important race the race of life you strived to be in the pack. I will miss you Larry my old and dear friend. My running will forever be missing your foot steps next to me.

Don Palladini