The 51rst NYC Marathon Rewind, Chapter #7: Rod Dixon speaks about the 30th anniversary of his historic New York Marathon (RunBlogRun Archives)

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Up to date Monday, October 23, 2023, on the fortieth anniversary of Rod Dixon’s big win on the NYC Marathon! It was an incredible race and nice TV! Type of unhappy that Saucony didn’t actually do something to advertise this pivotal second of their model historical past.

That is one in every of my favourite all-time items by Jeff Benjamin. It’s about his good friend, Rod Dixon, 1972 Olympic bronze medalist at 1,500m, who, eleven years later, gained the NYC Marathon with a kick envied by milers of all ages. Rod Dixon modified the NYC marathon endlessly with this win. For one of many first time, TV audiences noticed the authenticity of the occasion and the joy that constructed over two-plus hours of Rod Dixon looking Geoff Smith, who challenged all to catch him. Smith and Dixon enthralled a sporting viewers like few marathons earlier than or since.

Take pleasure in this piece by Jeff Benjamin, initially revealed November 6, 2021.

The 1983 NYC Marathon did change operating endlessly.

Geoff Smith had taken off, constructed an enormous lead, and 1972 Olympic bronze medalist Rod Dixon, who had moved up from the 1,500m to the 5,000m, then successful almost every part in highway racing, and at last, the extremely gifted and handsome Kiwi paced his 26.2 miles completely and, with a lot of the nation watching, caught Geoff Smith with lower than 385 yards to go! It was a grand sports activities tv. It was like a last-second catch in American soccer or a last-second aim in European soccer.

Saucony, Rod’s sponsor, took cowl 2, web page 1, and positioned a congrats advert to Rod Dixon at Runner’s World ( I ought to know, I used to be the manufacturing supervisor, and we needed to change the advertisements on the final minute!).

That second confirmed that Operating may seize the curiosity of nonrunners! Rod Dixon had captured the curiosity of the sporting world!

Rod Dixon wins the 1983 NYC Marathon, photograph courtesy of NYRR.

This story, Chapter 7, is by Jeff Benjamin; it’s: Rod Dixon Speaks about the 30th anniversary of his historic New York City Marathon!

An addendum: I’ve hero-worshipped Geoff Smith and Rod Dixon for years. They’re the gladiators of operating. Each have been so sort and affected person with my questions, and

Rod Dixon all the time makes me smile. Due to Jeff Benjamin for penning this one!

Jeff Benjamin has written for 30 years for American Monitor and Discipline together with RunBlogRun. The Former President of the Staten Island AC & Chair of the Staten Island Operating Affiliation was the fifth man scorer for his Susan Wagner Excessive College NYC XC Metropolis Championship group. Additionally a member of the Faculty of Staten Island Sports activities Corridor of Fame for XC, Jeff presently serves because the LDR Chairman for USATF NY. A passionate (or fanatical) follower of the Sport, a few of Jeff’s topics have included Sebastian Coe, Emma Coburn, Eamonn Coghlan, Matt Centrowitz, Jim Spivey, Galen Rupp, Joe Newton, Tom Fleming, Ajee’ Wilson, Invoice Rodgers, Allan Webb, Abel Kiviat, Jordan Hassay, Marty Liquori, Caster Semenya, Rod Dixon, Carl Lewis and Jim Ryun in addition to E book Evaluations and articles masking meets and races within the Northeast U.S.

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