‘A Beautiful, Genuine Soul’: The Running World Shares Its Tributes to David Torrence
By LetsRun.com
August 29, 2017
Yesterday the running world tragically lost David Torrence, a 2016 Olympic finalist who was found dead at the bottom of a swimming pool in Scottsdale, Arizona. The track community is a close-knit group and once the news of Torrence’s death broke, tributes poured in from around the world. We’ve collected a bunch of them below in honor of Torrence’s memory.
More on David Torrence
LRC Remembering David Torrence: Olympian, US Champion, US And Peruvian National Record Holder And Legendary Downhill Miler
You can pay your respects to Torrence and share your personal remembrances here: MB David Torrence is Dead: RIP / Appreciation Thread
Read about Torrence’s epic 3:46 downhill mile as a 20-year-old college kid here: MB SUB-4 MINUTE MILE ATTEMPT….DOWNHILL!!!
Cancer battler/miler Gabe Grunewald:
This is how I'll remember you, @David_Torrence. Always smiling. Always winning. Always a wonderful & genuine friend. pic.twitter.com/s9lldm4wEn
— gabriele grunewald (@gg_runs) August 29, 2017
Erik Sowinski, who was on world record 4×800 team with David:
Woke up to some devastating news. One of the most genuine people I've met. Glad we were able to grab a run together last week. RIP David. pic.twitter.com/tTDMv85SQi
— Erik Sowinski (@eSowinski) August 29, 2017
Sprint star and Altis athlete Muna Lee:
David was someone who would speak to you every morning no matter what with a smile.
— Muna Lee (@MunaLee) August 29, 2017
Two-time Olympic 1500 medallist Nick Willis:
No one was more dedicated to their running than @David_Torrence. He got 100% out of himself every day. So so sad to hear of his passing.
— Nick Willis (@nickwillis) August 29, 2017
World indoor 800m champion Chanelle Price:
David Torrence was an amazing training partner, a phenomenal runner, but most importantly, an incredible person. He will be greatly missed ?
— Chanelle Price (@CPriceRun7) August 29, 2017
All-around athlete Curtis Beach:
An incredible friend and a constant source of inspiration, passion, optimism and encouragement. We’ll miss you so much @David_Torrence pic.twitter.com/6Q6CvZm20y
— Curtis Beach (@curtis_beach) August 29, 2017
Young US star Drew Hunter:
Heartbreaking. I met him for the first time this year in Europe. You won't find a more positive and kindhearted person. https://t.co/xQxePxeG8n
— Drew Hunter (@drewhunter00) August 29, 2017
Coach Drew Wartenburg:
Feels like I saw @David_Torrence at EVERY track meet I've been to.
Presence.
Saw him pace 1250m of Oxy 1500m, after racing. Who does that?!— Drew Wartenburg (@Drew_Wartenburg) August 29, 2017
800m runner Cas Loxsom:
Share your stories, keep him alive through fond memories, celebrate his life and a celebrate a fantastic human being #RIPDavidTorrence
— Casimir Loxsom (@cazzylox) August 29, 2017
4×800 world record team member Duane Solomon:
I feel so gutted for my track family at the loss of David. Praying for comfort to his family, close friends and entire running community
— DuaneBangSolomon (@Dbang800) August 29, 2017
US veteran Stephanie Bruce:
Greek Olympian Alexi Pappas:
David was a wonderful guy– his smile during opening ceremonies was brighter than the Rio sun pic.twitter.com/yhwfygXAb8
— Alexi Pappas (@AlexiPappas) August 29, 2017
US 1500m star Jenny Simpson:
So sad to wake up to this news. You will be missed, friend.
— Jenny Simpson (@trackjenny) August 29, 2017
US 1500 and 5000m record holder Shannon Rowbury, who used to train in the same group as Torrence under coach John Cook:
Trying to process how someone as full of energy & positivity as David could be gone. You will live on in our hearts & be forever missed. ? pic.twitter.com/brIUqr9zgK
— Shannon Rowbury (@ShannonRowbury) August 29, 2017
US steeple star Evan Jager:
So sad to wake up to the news about David. He really was incredibly nice & friendly everytime I saw him. RIP. You made the sport better.
— Evan Jager (@EvanJager) August 29, 2017
Coach Danny Mackey:
@David_Torrence
The man ALWAYS raced w/ ?
Was 1 person you always wanted to meet for a ?
He stood up to Jama & ?
This doesn't feel real.— Danny Mackey (@dtmack) August 29, 2017
Canadian 5k/10k runner Cam Levins:
@David_Torrence Far too young. Our prayers go out to his family and loved ones. Really good man who will be sorely missed. Can't believe it.
— Cam Levins (@CamLevins) August 29, 2017
Steepler Aisha Praught:
David breathed pure joy. He made the everyday seem new and exciting with his seemingly endless energy. We don't know what to do without him.
— Aisha Praught Leer (@aishapraught) August 29, 2017
Altis training group (which David was a member of)
David touched all he came in contact with – including every single one of us at ALTIS. A beautiful, genuine soul. #RIPDavid
— ALTIS (@ALTIS) August 29, 2017
Canadian miler Nate Brannen:
In complete shock to hear of the passing of David Torrence. Great guy and friend. He will be deeply missed.
— Nate Brannen, OLY (@natebrannen) August 29, 2017
US 10k star Molly Huddle:
Such sad news. When I think of David Torrence he's smiling, brightening a room, passionately chasing down dreams, being a force for good?RIP
— Molly Huddle (@MollyHuddle) August 29, 2017
US 5k star Paul Chelimo:
I'm just shocked? woke up from a nap only to hear David Torrence is dead?…May he RIP?
— Paul Chelimo???? (@Paulchelimo) August 29, 2017
Miler Kyle Merber:
We will name the men's race in his memory and will find every way to celebrate his passion and his life pic.twitter.com/lvfcSdnmTJ
— Kyle Merber (@TheRealMerb) August 29, 2017
“Yo quiero mostrarle al mundo que los peruanos pueden competir, que pueden ser los mejores del mundo…” Eterno agradecimiento para #DavidTorrence; el atleta que se nacionalizó para representarnos. A post shared by Snap: depor.com ? (@deporcom) on
The track world lost a great friend and athlete today. Rest in peace, David Torrence. pic.twitter.com/iaCtDuFErk
— USATF (@usatf) August 29, 2017