Versatile ultra runner who won both the 500K across Tennessee in record time, and 50Ks on trails.
Passed on in his 50s from rare form of cancer. Tribute by Andy Jones-Wilkins appears on irunfar website. UltraRunning will reportedly carry a longer obituary in June issue.
Many ultra people already know, but hopefully he can be recognized in the wider world.
Personal anecdotes anyone?
Ran several races with/against the BAD Boys many years ago. I mainly remember Dewayne, Dink and Malcolm. Very competitive minded runners, but always a friendly group. Put in several miles in the middle if the night with Dink and Dewayne at Traveller one year. It was a full moon and we were intrigued with the tarantulas crossing the road in the warm night.
Gary
That's sad news. I always followed his exploits from afar, when I was first starting out.
Unfortunately I never met him.
He was the classic ultrarunner. Cranking out great performances while staying humble.
Something which is totally lost on runners like Walmsley and Herron.
You would have been fine stopping at your second sentence.
A friend introduced me to DeWayne during the 2016 Delano Park 12-hour; it was fortunate that he was there, I’m quite poor with names & faces.
DeWayne graciously asked how was I doing (walking & winded). I said the same, pathetic 40 miles as last year.
“You’re consistent,” he said with a smile.
I grew up in North Alabama and always looked up to DeWayne. Not only for what he did as a runner, but Because he was a genuinely nice guy.
I got to know DeWayne a little bit during my high school years at the Huntsville Track Club Tuesday Night Runs. Always took the time to chat with me as a young runner about training and racing. I idolized him in those days. It meant so much that he took interest in my running.
Whenever my non-running friends as me what I think about the Barkley Marathons documentary, I always say the same thing. “You remember that dude who they showed tapping out with a smile on his face? That’s one of the baddest runners I’ve ever know .”
DeWayne did so much to inspire young runners like me growing up in North Alabama and he was a great ambassador for the Huntsville running community. He will be missed by a lot of people.
I usually post anonymously, but I was honestly surprised to see this on LetsRun. My Dad (Dink) and Dewayne were truly the founder's of the ultra trail scene in the southeast. I wasn't alive when they were doing in their 20s and 30s - But it is very clear the positive impact he had on everyone (not just running). Truly a legend in many ways.
Actually found this old article on Team B.A.D the other day:
http://huntsvilletrackclub.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/HTCNEWS222-C.pdf
RIP Dewayne. You will be missed. We have lost a great person.