Running In The 70s

Running in the '70s: Voices, Stories and Memories of Athletes

Episode: 4.39 International Competition, Administration, and Life After Racing: The Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes Story (Part 2)

Host: Matthew Kleinosky

Guest: Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes

Website: running70s.com

In Part 2 of their conversation, host Matthew Kleinosky continues his deep dive with Penn legend and Hall of Famer Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes. Denis details his international racing career, bizarre physical setbacks, collegiate coaching and compliance leadership at Harvard and Penn, and his long-term health journey.

International Competition & The 1976...

NAIA National XC Champions Hall of Fame Induction

Episode 438: The "Rags" of Edinboro – 1975 NAIA National XC Champions Hall of Fame Induction

In this special reunion episode of Running in the '70s, host Matthew Kleinosky sits down with legendary coach Doug Watts and key members of the historic 1975 Edinboro State College men’s cross country team—team captain Kevin Foley, Patrick Logue, and Joe Come—as they celebrate their upcoming induction into the Edinboro Athletics Hall of Fame as the school's very first national championship squad.

Tracing the roots of a dynasty built at a "pu...

Running in the '70s: Voices, Stories and Memories of Athletes

Episode: Reluctant Runner to Trailblazer: The Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes Story (Part 1)

Host: Matthew Kleinosky

Guest: Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes — 2x All-American, Penn & Ivy League Pioneer, Coach, and Collegiate Administrator

Website: running70s.com

In Part 1 of this episode, host Matthew Kleinosky sits down with Denis Elton Cochran-Fikes, an athlete inducted into the Belmont Plateau, Van Cortlandt Park, and University of Pennsylvania halls of fame. Denis became the first sub-four miler in Penn and Ivy League history and clocked a le...

Running in the (19)70s Episode 4.36 Malcolm East - From Twickenham to Allegheny Glory

In this episode of Running in the '70s, host Matthew Kleinosky sits down with Pennsylvania distance running legend Malcolm East. Originally from the UK, Malcolm transitioned from a youth spent playing soccer 90 minutes a day to emerging as a top-tier track and cross-country talent with Twickenham AC. As an 18-year-old, he made waves at Crystal Palace running a 9:00 flat 3,000m steeplechase and clocked an 8:14 3,000m flat—rivaling Ireland’s John Treacy among the fastest junior runners in Europe.

Malcolm recounts his path...

Episode 435: Decathlon Battles, Clerical Twists, and Athletics West with Roger George

In this episode of Running in the '70s, host Matthew Kleinosky connects in Fresno, California, with collegiate national champion, three-time Division I All-American, and 1976 Olympic decathlon alternate Roger George.

From wrestling irrigation pipes on a Central Valley turkey farm to training at the dawn of professional track and field with Nike’s Athletics West, Roger shares an incredible inside look at the golden era of the decathlon.

From the Turkey Ranch to the Sawdust Pit: Growing up on a...

Running in the '70s – Episode Summary: John Herdman

Host: Matthew Kleinosky

Guest: John Herdman (Westmont High School Class of '73, Johnson & Wales College)

In this episode, host Matthew Kleinosky reconnects with southwestern Pennsylvania running history by interviewing John Herdman. Growing up in the Johnstown area, John and his identical twin brother, Jim, were standout distance runners for Westmont High School in the early 1970s - athletes Matthew first read about as an aspiring junior high runner. John reflects on his journey from a rocky start in junior high track to dominating cross co...

Episode 433: When Running Was Young with Jack D. Welch

In this episode of Running in the '70s, host Matthew Kleinosky sits down with Jack D. Welch—author of When Running Was Young and So Were We, co-founder of Running Magazine, former senior road racing editor for Track & Field News, and self-proclaimed "world's slowest professional runner". From 100-mile training weeks and grassroots newsletters to media trucks and the early days inside Nike corporate headquarters, Jack delivers an irreverent, poetic, and unfiltered inside view of the first American running boom.

Origins & The 100-Mile T...

In this special reunion episode, members of the historic 1977 Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Men's cross country team gather to celebrate their upcoming induction into the IUP Sports Hall of Fame.

Matthew joins with 5 teammates of the 8 who ran at NAIA and NCAA D2 nationals: Andrew Pheiff, Jacob Hepp, Ken Trilli, Dan Cunkleman, and Richard Wolf ... to reflect on the historic season that brought home the state title and put IUP on the national map.

The panel revisits the grit and camaraderie that defined their collegiate careers, from 138-mile summer training weeks and the fierce...

In episode 4.31 of Running in the '70s, host Matthew Kleinosky sits down with veteran runners Bill Scobey, Don McEwan, Vince Engel, Roy Kissin, and Mark Byers to share memories and lore surrounding Northern California’s legendary Dipsea Race.

The Panel & Their Histories: The guests recount running the Dipsea across multiple decades starting from the mid-1960s onward. Highlights include Don placing 9th as a 16-year-old running from scratch in 1967, Bill finishing 7th in 1970, Mark first running at age 17 in 1965, Vince returning after a 41-year gap, and Roy earning 11 coveted top-25 black shirts across 23 finishes.

Cours...

Episode 4.30: Charlie Duggan

Charlie Duggan stumbled into distance running as a sophomore at Hartford Public High School, intending to spend only a week with the cross-country team before football practice began.

Instead, he outran the experienced varsity runners in his first workout and discovered the sport that would shape his life. Coached by 1952 Olympic sprint champion Lindy Remigino, Duggan became one of the nation’s leading high-school two-milers before attending Springfield College.

At Springfield, Duggan became a three-time All-American, won the IC4A cross-country championship, finished second at the NCAA Cross Country Championships an...

In the second half of his conversation, Matt Centrowitz Sr. traces his path from elite athlete to influential coach. He describes working with Frank Gagliano and the Reebok Enclave—one of America’s pioneering post-collegiate training groups—before building American University’s running program from a modest cross-country team into a successful Division I track program.

Centrowitz also explains how a torn hamstring ended his pursuit of the 5,000-metre world record and shares the remarkable story of returning to a historic four-mile road race a year after finishing near the back of the field, 40 pounds lighter and ready to...

Episode 4.28: Matt Centrowitz Sr., Part 1 Four-time U.S. 5,000-meter champion Matt Centrowitz Sr. takes us from a tough childhood in New York City to becoming one of America's best distance runners. Matt talks about how track "saved his life," transferring to Power Memorial, training in Central Park and Van Cortlandt Park, and his breakthrough high school summer when he raced Craig Virgin, ran 8:56 for two miles and eventually 4:02 for the mile. Centro tells how being rejected by legendary Villanova coach Jumbo Elliott ultimately led him to Oregon, where he learned from Bill Dellinger and Steve Prefontaine. He explains what...

Running in the 70s episode 4.27 Gertrude Peace

Gertrude “Betsy” Jackson-Peace started 1975, is a former standout middle-distance runner whose career stretched from Albany, New York (Albany High School Hall of Fame), to Howard University, where she set an 800-meter school record of 2:09.55 in 1982 that stood for an extraordinary 43 years and was selected as "XC/Track Legend". A lifelong runner, coach and mentor, Peace went on to spend decades introducing young athletes to track and field. In this conversation, she looks back on discovering running in the 1970s, competing at Howard during a formative era for women’s track, the traini...

Running in the 70s episode 4.26 Brad Kron,

start 1964, Brockton High school teammate with Ron Wayne, Mass. state and New England XC team champs (1966), Springfield College, Brockton MA Athletic Hall Of Fame, coaching,

4th place team NE College Championship Springfield College'68 2nd place team College Div. iC4As '68-'70 3x top 20 finisher College Div IC4A's'70 4th place finisher Albany Invitational

Ran 709 plus road races 1965-2016

Overall 1st place finisher in races in 5 decades

Running in the 70s Episode 4.25 Bill "Mad Dog" Scobey

1960s, Pierce Junior College (3* AllAmerican), US Army Track team, Humboldt State (Hall of Fame), Fireman Hall of Fame, Natl JC record 4 * 1 mile, USA 50Km road record,

Natl college best 2-man 10 mile relay ( with Vince Engel), Avenue of the Giants Marathon record 1972 2:17,

10-man 24-hour relay World Record with Jerry Lindgren, Steve Kelley, Jobski, et al -

Scobey splits: Fastest Mile: 4:22.0 (The event's absolute fastest leg). Overall Average: 4:26.3 per mile.

Running in the 70s Episode 4.24 Tom Derderian, Part 2

In part 2, we discuss shoe design, racing and meeting other elite runners, Tom's coaching philosophy and more ... Tom Derderian, 1964, UMass, OLY trial 1972/1976, Co-Founded Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club, USATF New England President 4 year term, Author: Boston Marathon: The History Of The World's Premier Running Event, 2 IMDB credits, coach Greater Boston Track Club ... much more

https://www.amazon.com/Boston-Marathon-Year-Year-Stories/dp/1510724281/ref=sr_1_4

https://www.amazon.com/Boston-Marathon-Century-Premier-Running/dp/0880114797

Running in the 70s Episode 4.23 Tom Derderian, Part 1

Tom Derderian, 1964, UMass, OLY trial 1972/1976, Co-Founded Sugarloaf Mountain Athletic Club, USATF New England President 4 year term, Author: Boston Marathon: The History Of The World's Premier Running Event, 2 IMDB credits, coach Greater Boston Track Club ... much more

https://www.amazon.com/Boston-Marathon-Century-Premier-Running/dp/0880114797

 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎s, episode 4.22 Dr. Hans Koeleman

Hans Koeleman, 1974, Dutch National record steeple, Nike History & Heritage storyteller, Founder/Editor Mystical Miles, Clemson XC/Track( 6 * AA), Olympic Steeple semifinalist 1984/1988, Universiade medalist 1985  

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎s, episode 4.21 Cregg Weinmann1964, East Bakersfield High, Bakersfield College, Fresno Pacific, Abbott World Marathon Majors Six-Star Finisher medal, coaching (California State University, Bakersfield) and decades conducting and writing shoe reviews ("Running Product Reviews")

 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎s Podcast, episode 4.20 Dr. Lupe Solis Part 1

Lupe Solis, 1965, East Bakersfield High, Bakersfield College, Fresno Pacific,CIF Girls Track and Field Coach of the Year, college coach, Track official and starter for decades, Sax musician, hub for weekly California gang zoom call, co-author: The Blades: The Challenge ... The Effort ... The Impact

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎s,episode 4.19 California Zoom Gang Part 2  A group has been meeting online weekly since about Covid time, some of whom have known each other for over 50 years, to talk track and running.         

This is a drop in to get some of their stories.  Among them are state champions, national champions, All Americans, movie subject, national and world record breakers, still Current coaches / starters/ officials/ announcers, etc.    Some of the names are:  Lupe Solis, Don Gregory, Curt Elia, Craig Elia, Don Chapin, Art Meyer, Cregg Weinmann, Steve Kelley,  Vince Engel, Larry Gonzales, Joe Gonzales, Darrell Cox, Jim Hartig, Thomas Valles, Mike Lennemann, Bill Cockerham, Dave Bronzan, Ra

Running in the 70s Podcast, episode 4.18 Peanut Harms,

UC Davis HofFame, Sacramento Running Assoc HofFame, USATF Pacific HofFame, California Coach of the Year boys and girls XC / 2013 Boys Track Coach of the Year, helped invent the "Aggie Centipede" at Bay To Breakers, age 23: Coached Nigeria Olympic Distance runners and World XC team (3rd Jrs), 2x US World XC coach, coaching 52 years, industry sales Reebok, Converse, Hoka, now OOFOS recovery sandals

Running in the 70s Episode 4.17 Steve Williams Part 4, Steve discusses his clothing athletic business, his thoughts on legacy, the world of Track today and the fascinating story of his idea for a Track buddy movie.

Steve started in the 1960s, the Bronx, UTEP, San Diego State U, 3 x world records, 5-time U.S. National Champ, 1977 IAAF World Cup 100m champ, author "Always Speeding" ... World's Fastest Human.

Running in the 70s Episode 4.16 Steve Williams Part 3, Steve discusses shoes, the Puma brush spikes, and the wild stories of his in the middle of the Adidad/Puma family battles and the world of money for athletes in the 1970s.

Steve started in the 1960s, the Bronx, UTEP, San Diego State U, 3 x world records, 5-time U.S. National Champ, 1977 IAAF World Cup 100m champ, author "Always Speeding" ... World's Fastest Human

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎, episode 4.15 California Zoom Gang Part 1   A group has been meeting online weekly since about Covid time, some of whom have known each other for over 50 years, to talk track and running.         

This is a drop in to get some of their stories.  Among them are state champions, national champions, All Americans, national and world record breakers, still Current coaches / starters/ officials/ announcers, etc.
    Some of the names are:  Lupe Solis, Don Gregory, Curt Elia, Craig Elia, Don Chapin, Art Meyer, Cregg Weinmann, Steve Kelley,  Vince Engel, Larry Gonzales, Joe Gonzales, Darrell Cox, Jim Hartig, Thomas Valles, Mike Lennemann, Bill Cockerham, Dave Bronzan, Ray Winter, ...

Running in the 70s podcast 4.14 Jack Leydig started 1960, 3 HS natl postal records, Pres 15 years West Valley Track Club, Publisher 1969-1981 NorCal Running Review, 22nd Boston, organized 1974 AUU XC championship, ... launching his DNA to orbit the  sun https://www.westvalleytc.com/history and https://www.celestis.com/participants-testimonials/jack-leydig/

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎, episode 4.13 Ron Wayne 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 2

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USGrsWXdwz8 4.13 Ron Wayne Part 2 We talk about Running Relationships through the years and the SMARTeam mentoring program ...start 1965, Undefeated XC Season Sr. HS year- Mass State + New England  Champ, UMass ( NE Collegiate XC champ, 7x Yankee conf champ XC/Track, 5 school records), 3 xAAU AA, US Marathon 1st, 2nd and 2nd Natl AAU 25K, 5 sub-2:20s in calendar year, top USA runner Boston 1977, 2 x top 10 Boston, Nike race creator, 32 years with Mizuno, creator SMARTeam mentoring program ...

Running in the 70s podcast 4.12 Ron Wayne, Part1, start 1965, Undefeated XC Season Sr. HS year- Mass State + New England  Champ, UMass ( NE Collegiate XC champ, 7x Yankee conf champ XC/Track, 5 school records), 3 xAAU AA, US Marathon 1st, 2nd and 2nd Natl AAU 25K, 5 sub-2:20s in calendar year, top USA runner Boston 1977, 2 x top 10 Boston, Nike race creator, 32 years with Mizuno, creator SMARTeam mentoring program ...

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎, episode 4.11 Steve Williams Part 2

We discuss Running against the soviets, adventures in Jamaica and more. Steve started in the 1960s, the Bronx, UTEP, San Diego State U, 3 x world records, 5-time U.S. National Champ, 1977 IAAF World Cup 100m champ, author "Always Speeding" ... World's Fastest Human

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎, episode 4.10 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐯𝐞 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝟏 started 1960s, the Bronx, UTEP, San Diego State U, 3 x world records, 5-time U.S. National Champ, 1977 IAAF World Cup 100m champ, author "Always Speeding" ... World's Fastest Human

In part 2 - we discuss Charlie's running, coach and life ... after college ... and his training with world class runners like Steve Scott.

Carlie Boatright: started 1966, HS state champ 1968 2mile, Oklahoma State Univ All-American*2, NCAA Div 1 13th just behind Dave Wottle, Athletes in Action, lifetime win list over: Jim Ryun, Craig Virgin, Marty Liquori, ... coached 3 years including 2 Natl champ teams

start 1966, HS state champ 1968 2mile, Oklahoma State Univ All-American*2, NCAA Div 1 13th just behind Dave Wottle, Athletes in Action, lifetime win list over: Jim Ryun, Craig Virgin, Marty Liquori, ... coach 3 years including 2 Natl champs

4.07 Ron Stonitsch Part 2 1965, NY State mile HS champ, CW Post: 3 x Natl champ, 8 x All-American, 1970 Penn Relays MVP. Penn Relays 2mile record, Coach at Vassar starting 1982 ...

Running in the 70s Podcast 4.06 Andy Mason, author: Hagerstown vs. The World: A True Running Story, reached #1 Amazon New Releases in Running, 1970s, 13 Bostons, 5 JFK 50  milers, career Sportswriter and Sportseditor  ...

4.05 Ron Stonitsch, 1965, NY State mile HS champ, CW Post: 3 x Natl champ, 8 x All-American, 1970 Penn Relays MVP. Penn Relays 2mile record, Coach at Vassar starting 1982 ...

David Merrick, 1967, Lincoln Way IL, 5 x state champ, Golden West 2Mile win, Junior Olympics 1-Mile champ, HS Natl record DMR, UPenn, 3* Hep XC win, AA*3, course records: Belmont Plateau, Van Courtlandt, ...

Benji Durden,  1963 start ... walk-on, University of Georgia, 1983 Boston 3rd, 1980 Marathon trials 2nd, marathons in all 50 states+DC, world record 24 hour relay, discussing drugs, injuries and much more

https://benji.runningbears.com/stories.html

Benji Durden, 1 1963 start ... walk-on, University of Georgia, 1983 Boston 3rd, 1980 Marathon trials 2nd, marathons in all 50 states+DC, world record 24 hour relay, so much more ... https://benji.runningbears.com/stories.html

𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟕𝟎𝐬 𝐩𝐨𝐝𝐜𝐚𝐬𝐭 - 4.01 Patrick Gildea He may have just been a twinkle in someone's eye in 1970 but Patrick Gildea is an SEC champ, past professional runner, USA World XC team member and ... the new Director and coach of IUP Cross Country and Track

This feels like a gift to all of us from Dave Patrick - 1962, Kennwood HS, state champ, 2-mile relay natl record; Winner inaugural Penn Relays HS mile, 9 Penn Relays golds, 1966 Penn Relays MVP, IC4A Mile champ x 6, NCAA National champ x 4, World records indoor 880 / 1000 yard, Olympic trials 1500 winner Los Angeles 1968 - get Dave's story

https://running70s.com/images/333images.php - See videos, photos and an amazing 2007 Letter Dave wrote to a future Olympic Gold medalist