Marathon Enthusiasm

There was a time, 15 or 20 years ago, when I strongly felt that the enthusiasm, dynamism and eagerness for the marathon were unbelievable. Now when I hear about marathons here, there and everywhere, I personally do not get as much joy. Some others tell me they also feel that the present-day enthusiasm for marathons is no match for those days many years ago.

Some people may feel that there is still the same enthusiasm for the marathon. It is just that many of you have become old men and old women. Yes, when I retired from marathon running, you also graciously retired. When I used to run, at that time you conquered your age. Age was no barrier. When I see our marathon each year at Rockland Lake State Park, alas, I feel there would be many, many more boys and girls running, if I had been in a position to run. For those who disagree with me, I very gladly accept your opinion, if you feel that there is still the same enthusiasm and the same dynamism for the marathon race.

But I am very lucky. I am no longer able to run, but quite a few marathon champions over the years have become my friends, like Bill Rodgers and the Australian marathoner Robert de Castella. Now the reigning world record holder, Paul Tergat, is very, very nice to me, and Tegla Loroupe is so dear. I am her grandfather, she says.

Then I lifted Paula Radcliffe at Aspiration-Ground. And we have an immortal picture with Grete Waitz and Tegla after I offered the opening meditation at the United Nations for the International Friendship Run. Both of them are very, very nice. They are Hutasan’s and Narmada’s very close friends. And the Japanese runner Seko became a very close friend. His Guru and coach, Nakamura, was so nice. When we were visiting Japan, he came to our hotel and gave beautiful gifts to the Singers.

6 April 2007 Aspiration-Ground, New York