Former Detroit Marathon Champion killed in car crash

I certainly remember him as a good marathoner in that era. Sounds like a great guy....tough loss.

I knew Dave well, very well. Not so much while in college, he at CMU & me @ EMU and only 2 months apart in age but later. We were roommates for a year 30 years ago in Ann Arbor. He was a hard worker and really put it together in '83-'84 when he ran his 2:12:06 at Boston ('83). The article mentions his Pan-Am experience and top placing at the '84 OTrials Marathon, 12th in 2:17. He moved to NC in the mid 80s before returning to MI and the Jackson area where he was from.

He had an epiphany about 8-9 years ago...didn't like what condition his condition was in and as was his style, went all-in in getting fit again. He became a terrific duathlete for a couple years before injuries struck.

May my friend rest in peace.

I certainly remember him, though never met him. I was in Ann Arbor 30 years ago, too. Very sad loss for his family and the athletic community.

In the mid 1970's, Dave Hinz seemed to be at a lot of races.

I remember a track meet in particular at Central High School in Detroit in August 1975 when the two highlights were All-American quarter miler Stan Vinson from EMU racing against a 4 x 110yd team and then Dave Hinz racing the 3 mile. I was the only other entry in the 3 mile. I was 17, Dave must have been about 22. He let me run with him the first lap or so and then he took off. Lining up next to Dave Hinz will always be a fond memory, though it certainly wasn't much of a race. I'm certain he did not remember racing me; but I'll always remember racing Dave.

As many were, I was shocked to hear the news of his accident. One of the true greats of Michigan running and a sad loss to the Michigan sports community. He will be missed.

David Hinz was the top runner at the Ann Arbor weekly summer fun runs at Huron High when I was in high school. In 1980, the summer before my senior year, although he didn't know me, he slowed his pace in the 3-mile fun run to encourage me to keep up with him. He ended up pacing me to my high school PR, a 15:37 (a total jog for him).

I was lucky enough to see David again many years later at a track meet in Plymouth/Canton, where we both had shown up to help out as volunteer officials. I thanked him for what he had done for me so long ago. I don't think he remembered having paced me, but I suspect that was because he probably did the same thing for many other runners a few years his junior.

Rest in peace, David. You were greatly admired and were an inspiration to many.

Dave held the mile and two mile school records at my highschool for over 30 years. We became friends When he noticed me getting close to his records and he came out and started running with me on some easy days. Dave and I became very good friends and he always encouraged me to go faster. When I broke his records he was the happiest guy at the track meet. I once asked Dave if I could borrow a singlet for a xc meet and he gave me his USA singlet he wore when he represented the US and told me to keep it until I get my own someday. A year and a half later I finished 2nd at junior nationals in the 800 and got my own USA singlet. I will never forget the look on his face when I went to his place to give him back his singlet.

I miss you so much Dave and I will always remember you!

Jacob DuBois

Sounds like a way special person. Why is it always the good, the best of us seem to die young. Sounds like he was a very very special guy. I'm pissed cause I never got to meet or know him.

I heard about this last week and was shocked to hear such a great athlete and great guy not being with us. I remember his huge calf muscles. This due to me running behind him in every race we ran. I remember a 20 K where we ran together for a while then he just took off and beat everyone in a very competitive race.

He was one of Michigans greatest runners and set the bar high for all those who have come along the last 30 years.

Monty