Interview - Greg Meyer, 1983 Boston Marathon champion

I loved reading the interview of Greg and wanted to toss and experience with Greg back in September of '83. I was the race director andelite athlete coordinator of the Philly Half back then and got to know Greg through a mutual friend. Greg came in and ran the PDR, and, after the race we went to the home of a long time running buddy who hosted a local post race party. After a few hours, I needed to take Greg to the airport, so I loaded him and his gear into my brand new Porsche convertible and worked our way through the city. There's a stretch of open road near the airport with but one traffic light and Greg and I agreed to "do a few strider" with the car. We flew through the light which had once been green and started to run out of road when Greg asked about our top speed. "124" I answered, "but I think I saw a cop at the light." Next thing I knew we were being pulled over. I jumped out of the car and a 6'4" cop asked me what the hell I was doing. I replied that I knew I was going fast but I had a world class runner in the car who had won the Boston Marathon and asked the cop to give me the ticket at the airport. He looked at Greg, who waved respectfully. The officer got in the car and gave us an escort to the airport. Greg said he would do the fasted 400 he could do carrying his bags so the cop wouldn't check his flight time. The cop told me to be careful and drove off without giving me a ticket. Greg and I have been friends ever since.

I'll have to a story like that in the future when a cop pulls me over... I just can't have a fat guy in the car with me...

I had to get to the hospital to meet my pregnant wife and the cop let me off... and I wasn't lying!

Actually, you may be referring to his one-hour run record in Boston. The 25k and 30k were in California. The hour run is a rarely contested event, but one that enjoys the same record status - although perhaps not the prestige - as the 10,000 or 5,000. Still, it is an American record and, I think, was the third best performance of all time when he ran it. I'll remind everyone that Rodgers won a bronze in world XC in 75 as well.

escargot wrote:

Actually, you may be referring to his one-hour run record in Boston. The 25k and 30k were in California. The hour run is a rarely contested event, but one that enjoys the same record status - although perhaps not the prestige - as the 10,000 or 5,000.

whatever Rodgers ran was going to be an american record. the records he was trying to beat in that race were 20k 59:52, 1 hour 20053m, 15 miles 1:17:53, 25k 1:19:59, 30k 1:36:46.

rodgers was going to set numerous records no matter how fast he ran. he got the 11 mile, 13 mile, 14 mile, 16 mile, 17 mile records (etc) along the way. big whoop.

record status wrote:

whatever Rodgers ran was going to be an american record. the records he was trying to beat in that race were 20k 59:52, 1 hour 20053m, 15 miles 1:17:53, 25k 1:19:59, 30k 1:36:46.

rodgers was going to set numerous records no matter how fast he ran. he got the 11 mile, 13 mile, 14 mile, 16 mile, 17 mile records (etc) along the way. big whoop.

Not if he ran slower than those times - as did everyone before him who had (as too everyone since...)

Also, FYI? There are no records for 13, 14, 16, or, yes, even 17 miles on the track.

Also, if you find Rodgers records so weak, why not go out and break them? Let us know when and where you'll be making an attempt.

I set the world record for the 8.653 mile trail run back in 1982 and am petitioning the IAAF for retroactive World Record status

how is the oatmeal, soup and sex diet plan working???

works good for me. that subway diet got old.

sure beats slimfast wrote:

how is the oatmeal, soup and sex diet plan working???

You're damn right it beats slimfast, at least when it's my wife we're talking about (which we are). Mrs. Marmoset is a stone-cold fox and has not imposed a post-nuptial shutoff, no problem there; and this morning's oatmeal satisfied as much as the last bowl. So I'd say I'm doing pretty well, thanks - although I kind of fell off of the soup wagon I'm afraid. I brought some split-pea home from my grandmother-in-law so I should be back on track soon, but then again how well can any diet work during Octoberfest season? ;)

Have you tried Leinenkugels Octoberfest out of Chippewa falls, Wisconsin? It is awesome!

escargot wrote:

Not if he ran slower than those times - as did everyone before him who had (as too everyone since...)

3 people have run track 25k's before and since then. Big whoop. Can you name any national class runners who have attempted track 25k s?

Everyone should start their day with a nce steaming bowl of Quaker oatmeal - yummm!!!

Didnt Dick Quax and bob Hodge run a 25 k track event in 1979 or 1980, I recall reading about it in runners world way back when

herbkarp wrote:

Didnt Dick Quax and bob Hodge run a 25 k track event in 1979 or 1980, I recall reading about it in runners world way back when

That was a 15k, actually. And, just because a distance is rarely attempted does not mean that the record for it is no good. Consider the 2k WR - in the view of many the best distance WR.

Wolfgang Grajonca wrote:Alberto as you mention won three New Yorks plus Boston, the latter in that race with Beardsley.

Don't forget that he also won Comrades.

A tremendous accomplishment IMHO.

Salazar also had some great races at Falmouth which I believe is 7.1 miles. Meyer's Cherry Blossom 10-mile record was (and is) smokin' fast.

Salazar even won a 50+ mile race in South Africa.

he also won Comrades