An inspiring runner and human being! May his records stand for a long time.
An inspiring runner and human being! May his records stand for a long time.
I ran probably in at least 50 races with Ed. I was in my early 30s to mid 40s and there he would stand at age 70 to about 83 next to me in the starting stall. He was still running 36 minute 10ks, and sub 3hr marathons at age 74. When you saw him run (even until he was about 78), he almost glided. So smooth...and when you spoke to him he was, well, a gracious, lovely, understated man. I had several chats with him over the years, and for some reason every year he would show up at the Waterloo Marathon (my local one)--even this past one. He never ran this race, for whatever reason, but he came to cheer the locals and chat. Great guy.
Rest in peace, Mr. Whitlock. Ed is an inspiration to generations of runners, and I miss reading about his exploits already. Prayers for his family, and thanks given for a life well lived.
Rest In Power Sir.
R.I.P. Ed Whitlock.
A great runner and man.
Fractured wrote:
Runs 3:56 with prostate cancer ...?!
He undoubtedly had metastatic prostate cancer when he ran 3:56 in October. You can see in his finishing picture that he is holding one arm awkwardly, and the December article talks about his sore shoulder and weight loss. He knew he was dying back then, but he still put in one last amazing race.
The world is a lesser place without him.
RIP
The best. Terribly sad news
This is really sad news.
In 2003 I was standing at the start line of the Crim race in Flint, Michigan. Standing next to me was this old guy with white hair. My first thought was that he was in the wrong spot and was going to get run over.
I chased him the whole race and finished about a minute behind him!! I later learned who it was and to this day I consider it one of my personal "brushes with fame" to have stood next to Ed Whitlock!
RIP Ed...you're a hero to lots of us.
So sad to hear this news. He seemed like such a nice guy.
RIP Ed. Will always be remembered here on these boards.
Sad news indeed, one of the most inspirational runners ever, a humble man, a fierce competitor, a gentleman. He will be missed on this message board. RIP
really an inspirational guy. any runner could learn humility, work ethic, and integrity from this man. RIP.
I'm 57 and though I once ran a 2:46 at Boston in 1979, I was born with a bad heart valve and after two open heart surgeries have been reduced to 1:57 ish half marathons on a decent day. I just did an easy 4 miles and during the run was thinking about how Ed Whitlocks knees have held up, and I came home to this.He was an inspiration to folks like me and I am sure I read every post he did here. RIP and my heart goes out to his family. They could never know that folks who never knew him would be very sad to hear this news.
Ed destroyed that mile record just last year. It's really incredible how fast he was. I hope that he was a pioneer to show what the future could look like for people as they age.
As a Letsrun visitor of several years, I was quite inspired by his occasional posts and reading updates on his marathon exploits on the homepage. He's a legend, and a role model for consistency and love of the sport. Rest In Peace.
wejo wrote:
The splash page is now up.
http://www.letsrun.com/splash-page/ed-whitlock-died/I think this news hit a lot of us pretty hard.
I corresponded with Ed two months ago. I wish I had written back but literally the last words Ed wrote to me were "Congratulations on the success of your website. A great resource for those interested in track and field."
That really means a lot coming from him but I didn't write him back. Life is too short my friends. Ed made the most of it.
observer of posting trends wrote:there have always been a handful of personalities whose auras rose above the conflict and united the board.
Ed Whitlock was #1.
I think he would be a lot of people's #1 on here. He represented what it means to be a runner.
Ed's words in the press release on his death were, "I am not one to stand up on the stage and say ‘you all can do this." Ed was an inspiration not because he told us we can do this, but because he went out and did it. We all could appreciate that. He'll be missed.
That's why you have to make an effort everyday to appreciate what you have in your life and the silly/goofy audience who come here and read/post on your site..;)
Shocked and saddened by this news. I was already very sad because I just visited my mom in hospice care and I get on the internet to read this bad news. RIP Ed.
[quote]easy weeks wrote:
Ed in 1952
http://www.drbrd.com/images/scgs/mug_shots/ed_whitlock_1952_ic_relay2.jpg
#114 has a good hiker form but Ed is flying here, thanks for this one.
Ed's motives were the opposites of mines but the result was the same : run, run...till you walk...then run.
Repeat.
He won't stop, you fools.
Run in peace, Sir Whitlock.
Ed, I expected you to live many years, and am totally shocked.
Rest well, my friend. Condolences to your wife and family.
