YOUR MOST PRECIOUS & WEIRDEST RUNNING COLLECTIBLE

Some time long ago at the San Francisco Marathon Doug Thurston and maybe yourself gave me a silver plate for second place. It said First place wheelchair division. It was a nice plate but wrong division. I never got the right one.

Well...for the last 2 years I have taken a piece of every outdoor track I have ran on during meets. Taken little snipits of the track like an inch of two and i put a little note about what I ran and time on it...I will probably throw them all away someday when i forget about it, but so far its at like 30.

very considerate of you.

-Tar Track University, formerly known as Tartan Tech.

A workout schedule typed up by Bob Timmons for Jim Ryun. I'll have to check on the year.

A discus thrown by four time Olympic Gold medalist, Al Oerter.

Arkansas jersey and numbers from Falcon's double NCAA victories indoors in '88.

Well, I own the Oak Harbor Invitational Blue Ribbon/Medal that should belong to one Scott Fry.

I don't think I've told this story before, so here goes...

In the spring of 1985, I lined up with Scott for a 3200 at the 15-team Oak Harbor Invitational. Scott had beaten me in the 1600 earlier as you might imagine in 4:10 and then he threw in a 1:57 800 (his PR). He expected to run 8:45 or so in the 3200 which would have beaten me of course.

Anyway, Scott jumps the gun and is disqualified. I then win the 3200 (crushing the rest of the field) to a chorus of boos and chants of "you suck, you suck, you suck".

My coach turned to the stands and said something like "Come on now!" Some big fat guy then yelled, "but he SUUUUUUUUCKS!"

I just laughed and accepted my first-place prize.

It feels good to finaly get that off my chest.

I have Colleen De Reucks water bottle from the recent Olympic Trials in St. Louis. I spent forever digging through trash cans to find Drossin's but then De Reuck pulled away for the win.

Singlet worn by Phidippides during his run from Athens to Sparta. Has started looking a bit shabby just lately but it's really held up quite well, considering. Anyone out there have his shorts and/or footwear? I'd like to make an offer so I can complete the kit.

Also, I've been told a couple hundred Spiridon Louis bobble-head dolls were produced shortly after his 1896 victory. This hasn't been confirmed and I'm dubious, but it would be pretty cool to have one.

how'd you come by the Bob Timmons piece?

MF

I have Phidippides' Air Max Running Sandals. The leather straps stiffened from all the sweat but there is a surprising amount of cushion still in place.

d2chick wrote:

. I spent forever digging through trash cans to find Drossin's but .

Why did you think that Deena's but was in a trash can?

I have 2 my all american trophy takes the cake it is by far my most precious collectible. 2nd would be an autographed tee-shirt that I got in the 6th grade Joan Beniot-Samelson signed it for me when she was in my city doing a press/pre-olympic trials thing and I was so excited because she was the same size as me and people at school kept telling me I was to small to be a good runner. Plus she is Joan Beniot and that is just cool!

Mike Byrnes, one of the founders of the NSSF. Mike gave me a lot of cool stuff.

A talking Pee Wee Herman doll. Not running related or precious, but definetely weird.

Mike, dang, you set the bar mighty high w/your memorabilia!

I've got that SI issue w/Pre on the cover. Another w/Frank putting his hand on a Russian competitors shoulder. Have a late 60's NCAA indoor program...when it was at Cobo Arena.

Clothing...not exactly collectibles: long-sleeve worn at NCAA cross meet in Spokane, '73. Tee team had made up after winning state cross title in '69. Windbreaker after EMU won its first MAC crown in '73. Four year varsity ring/college.

1969 issues of Distance Running News. A couple issues of Long Distance Log.

Dick quax 's NZ vest commonwealth games

Rod Dixons olympic vest NZ '72

Antipov (2nd WXC 78) Russian vest

Marcus Riefle Swiss vest

Brendan Foster Olympic GB '72 vest

Postcard from Moscow Olympics after 10k heats from Brendan Foster

Thomas Wessinhage's Germany vest converted by Brendan Foster into a Gateshead vest which he wore when he broke the 3k world record

Adidas Spikes, black suede with coral stripes from Brendan Fosters record run

Englnd vest from Steve Cram

Moscow Olympic poster signed by Daley Thompson, Steve Ovett, Seb Coe, Steve Cram, Kathy Cooke, Brenan Foster

1976 Olympic Programme featuring 1500 signed by John Walker

Vest and shorts worn by Brendan Foster in Golden 10,000 win

Holdall and silver medal from Cinque Mulini for 2nd place behind Frank Shorter

I know it is not running, but I have a Russian Ruble autographed by Sergey Bubka as well as one of his broken poles

The original, three-page handwritten letter from Steve Prefontaine to Jaako Tuomenin in Finland organizing the Finnish tour. It was written in November, 1974. It even mentions the illegal appearance money ("I think I can get between $250 and $300, but that's about all"). On the back in Jaako's handwriting is the list of Finnish athletes, including Viren and Vasala.

I got it from my old coach that went to work at Nike and worked with Jaako. Jaako had boxes of Pre stuff as he served as his European contact.

My wife has a medal won by Pat Porter at a national 10k. He gave it to her when she was a nurse in charge of drug testing.

I have a unique trophy won by Laura Myketok that she gave me.

I have the original finish line tape from the Crescent City Classic won by Mark Nenow in 27:22 then a world best. Others in New Orleans think they have a part of it including Chuck George and a running store in Kenner but that is the women's tape from that year. They refuse to believe they have the women's tape. I got the men's that I found blowing on the ground after I finished the race. The top woman had yet to finish. After the top woman finished they got it and cut it up for several people to have a part of.