Dick Beardsley: Difference between revisions
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Beardsley ran his first marathon in 2:47:14 at the 1977 [[Paavo Nurmi Marathon]] in [[Hurley, Wisconsin]]. In subsequent marathons, he steadily lowered his times: 2:33:22, 2:33:06, and 2:31:50. Beardsley is the only man to have ever run 13 consecutive personal bests in the marathon, and is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the feat.<ref>{{cite book|last=Brant|first=John|title=Duel In The Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's greatest marathon|publisher=Rodale|year=2006|pages=33|isbn=1594862621|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=RCxj_PUyvycC&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=Dick+Beardsley+guinness+book&source=bl&ots=gzX-4e2LKL&sig=zIV6OyYHGy-vNCClh3MdDDD1euk&hl=en&ei=Wl-AStbkNJC-MLX72fYC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q=Dick%20Beardsley%20guinness%20book&f=false}}</ref> |
Beardsley ran his first marathon in 2:47:14 at the 1977 [[Paavo Nurmi Marathon]] in [[Hurley, Wisconsin]]. In subsequent marathons, he steadily lowered his times: 2:33:22, 2:33:06, and 2:31:50. Beardsley is the only man to have ever run 13 consecutive personal bests in the marathon, and is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the feat.<ref>{{cite book|last=Brant|first=John|title=Duel In The Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's greatest marathon|publisher=Rodale|year=2006|pages=33|isbn=1594862621|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=RCxj_PUyvycC&pg=PA33&lpg=PA33&dq=Dick+Beardsley+guinness+book&source=bl&ots=gzX-4e2LKL&sig=zIV6OyYHGy-vNCClh3MdDDD1euk&hl=en&ei=Wl-AStbkNJC-MLX72fYC&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9#v=onepage&q=Dick%20Beardsley%20guinness%20book&f=false}}</ref> |
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==Achievements== |
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He holds the third fastest [[marathon (sport)|marathon]] time by an [[United States|American]] born man.{{Citation needed| 25 October 2010|date=October 2010}} The world-class marathon competitor of the 1980s was a two-time Olympic qualifier runner and was joint winner of the first [[London Marathon]] in 2:11:48 (29 March 1981) together with [[Inge Simonsen]] ([[Norway]]). |
He holds the third fastest [[marathon (sport)|marathon]] time by an [[United States|American]] born man.{{Citation needed| 25 October 2010|date=October 2010}} The world-class marathon competitor of the 1980s was a two-time Olympic qualifier runner and was joint winner of the first [[London Marathon]] in 2:11:48 (29 March 1981) together with [[Inge Simonsen]] ([[Norway]]). |
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Dick Beardsley | |
|---|---|
| File:Dick beardsley florist2.jpg Dick Beardsley - Motivational / Inspirational Speaker | |
| Born | 21 March 1956 |
| Nationality |  United States |
| Occupation(s) | Long Distance Runner, Author, Motivational speaker |
| Website | Official Website |
Dick Beardsley (born March 21, 1956 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American long-distance runner best known for his close finish with Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon.
Running career
Beardsley ran his first marathon in 2:47:14 at the 1977 Paavo Nurmi Marathon in Hurley, Wisconsin. In subsequent marathons, he steadily lowered his times: 2:33:22, 2:33:06, and 2:31:50. Beardsley is the only man to have ever run 13 consecutive personal bests in the marathon, and is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the feat.[1]
He holds the third fastest marathon time by an American born man.[citation needed] The world-class marathon competitor of the 1980s was a two-time Olympic qualifier runner and was joint winner of the first London Marathon in 2:11:48 (29 March 1981) together with Inge Simonsen (Norway).
His finish time of 2:09:37 at the 1981 Grandma's Marathon is still the course record. Beardsley placed second (2:08:53) on the heels of Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon,[2] which at the time, broke the Boston Marathon course record and the American record.
In 1995 he founded the annual Dick Beardsley Half Marathon of Detroit Lakes, held in September of every year (Dick Beardsley 1/2 Marathon, 2 person relay, 5K Run/Walk, and Kids 1K). Beardsley currently works as a motivational/inspirational speaker.
From 2007 to 2010 Beardsley owned and operated the Dick Beardsley Running Company in Fargo, North Dakota. In May 2010, ownership of the store was transferred over to another entity, with Beardsley no longer involved.
Beardsley is one of the subjects of the 2006 book, Duel in the Sun by John Brant. His memoir, Staying the Course: A Runner's Toughest Race, was published in 2002 by the University of Minnesota Press.[3]
In 2009, Beardsley was inducted into The Running Event Hall of Fame and received a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2010, Beardsley was inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.[4]
- All results regarding marathon, unless stated otherwise
| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Representing the United States
| ||||
| 1981 | London Marathon | London, United Kingdom | 1st | 2:11:48 |
| Grandma's Marathon | Duluth, United States | 1st | 2:09:37 | |
| 1982 | Grandma's Marathon | Duluth, United States | 1st | 2:14:50 |
Injuries
In November, 1989 Beardsley nearly died in a farm mishap which required five months to recuperate. Between July 1992 and February 1993, he was involved in three serious automobile accidents, each requiring hospitalization for back and neck injuries. While on a hike, he was hurt after falling down an embankment when the path collapsed. He underwent three back operations in 1994, then had knee surgery in 1995.[5][6]
Drug addiction
After each of his injuries, Beardsley was prescribed medication for the pain. Over four years, his body developed a tolerance for the drugs, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. He was in denial that he had a drug problem, but his addiction caused him to forge prescriptions at drug stores to satisfy his need for pills until he was arrested on September 30, 1996.[5] He was sentenced to five years probation and 460 hours of community service.[7]
Rehabilitation
Beardsley spent nine days in a psychiatric unit where he was prescribed methadone to replace the pills. He was released for outpatient treatment, then back to inpatient treatment where he quit methadone, and outpatient treatment again.[5] His first day of chemical-free sobriety was February 12, 1997.[6]
Dick Beardsley Foundation
Beardsley started the Dick Beardsley Foundation in October 2007[8] to provide assistance to individuals suffering from chemical dependency who are unable to pay for a 12-step treatment program. The foundation seeks to educate the general public about chemical dependency and allows Dick Beardsley to speak to people across the country about his own experience in overcoming addiction.[9][10]
Current running and speaking
Since 1996, Beardsley has turned his life around. In spite of a series of accidents, Beardsley has managed to restart his running program. He ran the 2000 Napa Valley Marathon in 3:23:05, and he trained in 2001 to try to break 3:00 at Grandma's to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his breakthrough performance there. He succeeded, running a 2:55:39. Beardsley called this Grandma's his "biggest triumph." He completed five marathons in both 2002 and 2003. He also returned to Boston to run in 2002, celebrating the 20th anniversary of his "Duel in the Sun" with Alberto Salazar. In March 2004, Beardsley ran a 2:43:58 at Napa, his best times since before his farm accident. Up until the summer of 2008, Dick was still a very competitive masters running, completing his marathons in less than 2:50:00
Beardsley is also once again a member of Team New Balance.
Beardsley works as a motivational / inspirational speaker, and oftentimes is the keynote speaker at events including races, schools, corporations, non-profits, prisons and drug treatment centers.
In 2002, the University of Minnesota Press published his memoir, Staying the Course, a Runner's Toughest Race, co-written with Maureen Anderson.
In 2002, Beardsley also received the Minnesota Meeting & Events Assoc. "Best Speaker Award."
He started the Dick Beardsley Marathon Running Camp in 2003, which is held each September at Rainbow Resort in Waubun, Minnesota.[11]
Beardsley moved from Minnesota to Austin, Texas in 2007[6] and in November, remarried his wife, Jill, who had lived in Austin since 1983. Their family now includes his son Andrew and Jill's children, Christopher and Matthew,[8] as well as three dogs and three cats.[12]
In January 2009, Beardsley had a total knee replacement on his right knee, due to an infection. Today, Beardsley not only is still running, but maintains his active lifestyle by adding biking and swimming to his routine.
In August 2010, it was reported that Beardsley and his wife filed for bankruptcy.[13] Beardsley's wife said that they filed to consolidate IRS debt.[13]
Further reading
- Staying The Course: A Runner's Toughest Race, Dick Beardsley, ISBN 081663758X; published by University of Minnesota Press, January 2002
References
- ^ Brant, John (2006). Duel In The Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's greatest marathon. Rodale. p. 33. ISBN 1594862621.
- ^ http://www.dbrunningcompany.com/video/myvideoplayer.html
- ^ "Legendary Marathoner Dick Beardsley visits KSEE Sunrise". KSEE24. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
- ^ Perritano, Fran: "Beardsley, Gorman elected to Distance Running Hall of Fame" Utica Observer-Dispatch, April 19, 2010
- ^ a b c "Life - Dick's Accident" Dick Beardsley Foundation website
- ^ a b c "Who is Dick Beardsley?" Tacoma City Marathon
- ^ Nowatzki, Dick: "Marathoner Beardsley files for bankruptcy" Duluth News Tribune, August 28, 2010
- ^ a b "Dick Beardsley to attend First Annual Thunder Bay Marathon" Thunder Bay Maraton website, September 2010
- ^ Hoban, Brom: "Motivation not a problem for marathoner Dick Beardsley" Austin Statesman, February 15, 2011
- ^ "Dick Beardsley Foundation homepage"
- ^ "2008 Dick Beardsley Marathon Running Camp" Marathon and Beyond magazine, Camps
- ^ "Board Members-Jill Beardsley" Dick Beardsley Foundation website
- ^ a b Nowatzki, Mike (28 August 2010). "Marathoner Beardsley files for bankruptcy". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 2 October 2010.
External links
- Dick Beardsley website
- Dick Beardsley Foundation
- Dick Beardsley Half Marathon & 5k Run/Walk (Detroit Lakes, Minnesota)