Rob DeCastella entered the 1986 Youngstown Peace Race 10k and finished in 1st place on a very hilly course

Your point?

Mr. DeCastella was a great runner. Had he not withered in the heat at the Los Angeles Olympics he might have been considered the best big guy marathoner ever.

Deek was a beast.

He wasn't that "big".

Fatty McPhat wrote:

He wasn't that "big".

5' 11"....143 lbs.

Not big.

cool

He looked big compared to other elites. I would have guessed he was in the 155 - 160 range. I'm surprised at the 143 number. He was definitely taller than anyone he raced.

Deke was really 133 lbs with a 10lb stache.

He was a beast.

not certain what is meant by "beast" but if beast is good, then Mr. DeCastella was one.

Reality Checker wrote:

Fatty McPhat wrote:

He wasn't that "big".

5' 11"....143 lbs.

Not big.

He struggled to get to 68kg/150lbs and was usually around 70kg.

If by hilly you mean DOWNHILL, then you are correct.

Ran it a few years ago and the race started in a VERY bad section of town. I was lucky I didn't get mauled by a pitbull or shot. They changed the start last year. I'll probably run it again this year.

he entered LOTS of races and got 1st MANY times, on a variety of courses.

Jon Ulm wrote:

He looked big compared to other elites. I would have guessed he was in the 155 - 160 range. I'm surprised at the 143 number. He was definitely taller than anyone he raced.

Taller than some, but certainly not "anyone he raced". There are plenty of available photos showing this to be true.

Stahl is about three inches taller than Deek. Salazar is the same height.

Deek is a normal height and scrawny of upper body build.

It was his relatively bulky legs and the way they churned around wildly that drew attention to any illusion of size.

Jon Ulm wrote:

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http://peacerace.org/wp-content/gallery/oldpeacerace/008.jpg

- Mr. DeCastella crossing the finish line at the 1986 Youngstown Peace Race 10k

The race was originally, and far into the era when the elites showed up, a 25k through the hillier portions of Mill Creek Park.

The finish was about 800 meters or more uphill.

I think it was a different course from the current one. I agree the current course has a lot of downhill.

I ran the race a couple of times when it was a 25k. That course was tough!! It ran through Mill Creek Park which is very hilly in sections, no giant hills but a mixture of short and steep or long and gradual. I've run in many places and Mill Creek Park is one of the best.

Reality Checker wrote:

Fatty McPhat wrote:

He wasn't that "big".

5' 11"....143 lbs.

Not big.

His thighs looked like tree trunks compared to his competitors.

ggallagher wrote:

Jon Ulm wrote:

/

http://peacerace.org/wp-content/gallery/oldpeacerace/008.jpg

- Mr. DeCastella crossing the finish line at the 1986 Youngstown Peace Race 10k

The race was originally, and far into the era when the elites showed up, a 25k through the hillier portions of Mill Creek Park.

The finish was about 800 meters or more uphill.

An early lead.

If this started in town, when did the race become a point to point race for the 10k?

great picture.