Steve Jones

I was a spectator in Chicago in 1984 at the 20M mark. A WBBM-TV (local affiliate) mobile truck was there, doing live cuts from the course. I peered inside the truck's window to see a live clock of the race superimposed on a monitor. The 20M split was well inside WR pace (Jones, Deek, and Lopes were leaders, but Jones was the guy pushing) so I told the on-air reporter *rather excitedly* that they were definitely ahead of world record pace. He asked me, "Are you sure?" and I must have been convincing because he went live and began shouting "They're ahead of world record pace!" into his mike.

The course was run in the opposite direction as it is today. Watching Jones break Deek and Lopes as they went hauling up Ashland or whatever street that was (Wellington?) and seeing two great marathoners crack in his wake was an amazing thing to witness.

My girl and I hopped a cab near Wrigley Field after that and headed over to Marine Drive to catch the leaders at the 25M mark. Jones was absolutely flying, his singlet drooped over his shoulder. Amazingly, there weren't many spectators at this point.

I'll always believe I was right at the spot where Jones sealed his legacy. Watching Deek and Lopes droop their form because they knew they were cooked kind of proved they were mere humans that day. Jones was definitely from another planet.

Glenn

thats very interesting, how long did he train in IL. I always thought he trained in Boulder. Did he train right up to new york?

Steve tells a great story about being back in Wales after a lengthy lay-off from running. Being a bit embarrassed about the lousy shape he was in, he ran mainly in the evenings when it was dark. One night while running past a pub he used to frequent, two regulars came stumbling out - a bit the worse for wear, and a few pints of Albright. One of them turned to his friend as Jonesy went by and said: "That fella looks just like Steve Jones...only fatter."

Typical Jones story that pokes fun at himself.

He seriously is one of the nicest guys it has been my pleasure to meet. When I was a poor grad student in Colorado he knew how tight money was for our family: I couldn't afford to take my wife out to eat on her birthday AND pay a babysitter - so Steve looked after our kids while we went out.

And if you ever get the chance, ask him about the time the elastic let go on the liner of his shorts during a track 10k...I was actually crying with laughter at the end of the story.

All the best,

Giles

If anyone out there is interested in any Jones footage just let me know. I have his 1984 Chicago race in full, about an hour of his 1985 Chicago race, plus a bit of his 1988 New York. I also have the full 1984 World X-C where he placed a solid 3rd behind Lopes & Hutchings. I think I have about 7 or 8 track races as well including his PR race from 1983 Oslo (27:39.14). This is an unbelievable race with Carlos Lopes, Fernando Mamede, Nick Rose & Steve just pounding each other into the ground. Lopes wins in Euro record 27:23.44.

I'd love to have a copy of his 84 race. How can I contact you?

What kind of format is all this footage?

the 30 some pages in Sandrock's "Running with the Legends" is incredibly inspiring, and at times hilarious. I wish I was around for his peak years

Treacy7879 wrote:

If anyone out there is interested in any Jones footage just let me know. I have his 1984 Chicago race in full, about an hour of his 1985 Chicago race, plus a bit of his 1988 New York. I also have the full 1984 World X-C where he placed a solid 3rd behind Lopes & Hutchings. I think I have about 7 or 8 track races as well including his PR race from 1983 Oslo (27:39.14). This is an unbelievable race with Carlos Lopes, Fernando Mamede, Nick Rose & Steve just pounding each other into the ground. Lopes wins in Euro record 27:23.44.

I'd pay for tape of the WCCC and the Oslo 10k. If you included those other races I would pay pretty good money. Email me if you can do this. I will pay you in acvance.

Me too! I'd love the lot!

we were talking about training and steve said i knew what i was talking about-- i wear that like a badge of honor

I am very interested in a copy of Jones races. Let me know the cost etc, format, possibly DVD? Thanks

stayed with steve in boulder in 2002,we were best men at a wedding would appreciate his marathon tapes.

Treacy7879, I think you'd get quite a few orders if you put copies of your footage on ebay. Particularly if you could burn it to DVD.

I'd be interested for sure.

DVD or VHS?

Make a DVD. I'll buy one for our club library.

All the best,

Giles

Please, let me know what I need to do to get a copy from you.

Thanks

Two years ago was running Falmouth on one of the hottest, most humid days they've had (even the Kenyans were DNF'ing) and was in survival shuffle from about mile 2. Just past the 6 mile mark I catch Steve, and said, "what are you doing way back here?" to which he replied, "just checking out the good looking women." We ran together for a while then amazingly I pulled ahead, even though I wasn't speeding up. Just around the final corner the race photographers were shooting pictures of everyone coming up the final hill. I wish I'd hung back w/ Steve, that is one picture I would have paid for, me running Falmouth w/ a true running legend, and yes, one of the great guys in the sport.

I would like to get a copy of that. Please let me know how much to send you for a copy if that is possible.

Thanks

John

Hi, leave your email in a message on the board & I will get back to you. The footage is in NTSC format (North America).