Up to date Monday, October 23, 2023, on the fortieth anniversary of Rod Dixon’s enormous win on the NYC Marathon! It was an incredible race and nice TV! Form of unhappy that Saucony didn’t actually do something to advertise this pivotal second of their model historical past.
That is one in all my favourite all-time items by Jeff Benjamin. It’s about his buddy, 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 without end 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 searching Geoff Smith, who challenged all to catch him. Smith and Dixon enthralled a sporting viewers like few marathons earlier than or since.
Get pleasure from this piece by Jeff Benjamin, initially revealed November 6, 2021.
The 1983 NYC Marathon did change operating without end.
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 profitable practically the whole lot in highway racing, and at last, the extremely proficient 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 purpose 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 adverts on the final minute!).
That second confirmed that Working might seize the curiosity of nonrunners! Rod Dixon had captured the curiosity of the sporting world!
Rod Dixon wins the 1983 NYC Marathon, picture courtesy of NYRR.
This story, Chapter 7, is by Jeff Benjamin; it’s: Rod Dixon Speaks in regards to the thirtieth anniversary of his historic New York Metropolis Marathon!
An addendum: I’ve hero-worshipped Geoff Smith and Rod Dixon for years. They’re the gladiators of operating. Each have been so variety and affected person with my questions, and
Rod Dixon at all times makes me smile. Because of Jeff Benjamin for scripting this one!