Tommy Leonard appreciation thread

I met Tommy in the early days of the Falmouth Road Race. In probably the third year of the race, around the two mile mark we saw a guy limping along with great difficulty. We stopped and offered him a ride which he gladly accepted and proceeded to tell us how he had started this race as a birthday celebration. He was very unhappy being unable to finish, but was still the jovial soul. As we rode we found we knew several people in common including some distant relatives of mine , the Tierneys from New Haven Ct. Tommy was also a Marine as was my husband, Lucky. Over the years we saw him at the Quarterdeck and were always amazed at how affable he was and what a great memory he had..always asking about my kids and filling us in on running news. He was truly a man for all seasons..How fitting that he will rest with his brother Marines! We won't see his like again.

I met Tommy in 2002 after winning a local road race on Cape Cod. I had graduated from college a few days earlier, and was back "home" to have a graduation party and see friends & family, before starting my "professional" career back down in DC. I also wanted to run a road race while I was in good track shape. Long story short, I won the race and was having a bite and a beer in the bar after (they were replaying the race on a big TV). TL was at the bar holding court (this time drinking pints, not pouring them). I can't recall why he was there, since we were in Hyannis (not Falmouth), but there were throngs of people all around him. I of course knew who he was having grown up on the Cape and having run the Falmouth Road race in high school. Tommy called me over and talked to me about "the big win" and encouraged me to run Falmouth that year -- "we need more good, young Americans there," he said. (Editors note - I was far from elite, but I think he thought I was better than I was simply because I had won that morning. I explained that to him, but he kept on encouraging me to run, would help get me in, etc). Elated, I finished my beer, said goodbye, and he went back to telling tales. In any case, the point of this story is that I was so very humbled to have this small moment with such a historical figure in the running community, and I'll always remember it. For him to take the time out of his day to talk to me was really something. RIP, Mr Leonard.

TL -RIP

The first time I met TL he seemed to know more about me than I knew about him. That was what made him such a wonderful person, like many have said he made you feel like you were a star, when you were just a scrub. You walked away with a big smile like you were on top of the world. The world will miss you TL. See you on the other side.

Holy sh it wrote:

Craig Virgin wrote:

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Holy sh it!!! Craig virgin post on letsrun!

Yes, and very extensively too.

I ran the 1984 USA / TAC XC Champs in Boston @ Franklin Park. Stayed at the Back Bay Hilton. Hanging out in the Lobby later the evening after the race, and none other than Eamon Coghlan comes over and asks how the race went. After a star struck gaze, he and I have a bit of a chat. Asks what I'm doing and I reply with nothing really just hanging out here. Eamon says, we're going over to the Eliot, join us. So off walk with Coghlan, Ray Flynn and several other stars. Mind you, I've finished back in a like 25-30 place and not a factor, but to Eamon you'd think I was top three!! Anyway, after a walk we arrive at the Eliot and there is a huge line to get in. Security, bouncer guy says it's a two hour wait. Eamon says to the bouncer, go get Tommy and tell him Eamon and his friends are here. Within several minutes, Tommy is at the front door, greets Eamon with a smile, handshake and says, come around back through the alley, I'll let you in through the back door.

Around the corner and down the alley we head to the back door. Door opens, there stands Tommy welcoming Eamon and his group including me. Tommy buys first round, then we scatter around the bar. I end up having a Guinness with one Fred Lebow and Rick Robirds from Alamosa State. Life time memory. Rest easily Tommy. You've made this world a better place.

Watched the '84 100M Final at the Elliot Lounge as a 14 year old after making a visiting the BRRC while on vacation....RIP Tommy

First, thanks to all who have posted. I wish I had stories to tell about Tommy, he fb friended me years ago and I remember being so surprised that he thought enough of my meager accomplishments to send a request- still regret not spending more time at the quarterdeck every august.

I can't fathom that there aren't a ton more stories to tell, so anyone who has time to tell them, I'd love to hear em, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. Keep em coming, Tommy deserves that and a whole lot more. Thanks all-