Posted: December 17, 2007

Athletics (RWire): Ted Corbitt, "The Father of American Ultrarunning", R.I.P.

1952 Olympian, record-setter, pioneer, gentle giant in the sport From Dan Brannen On Wednesday, December 12, 2007, Ted Corbitt passed away at the age of 88 at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston. He had been fighting a personal battle against cancer, but then developed heart and respiratory complications which could not be cured. Generally regarded as "the father of American Ultrarunning," Ted Corbitt, born in 1919 in South Carolina, was a sub-49 second quarter-miler at the University of Cincinnati, and began training for marathons in 1950. He had almost instant success. He won both the U.S. and Canadian national championship marathons, and was selected to the 1952 U.S. Olympic marathon team. He missed the 1956 Olympic team by one place. At the same time, he became involved in the organization and administration of long distance running on a national scale. He was a co-founder of the Road Runners Club of America (and elected its president in 1960) and the New York Road Runners Club, and was elected the latter organization's first president in 1958. An African-American, as both athlete and administrator, he faced and conquered many challenges posed by racial discrimination in the pre-civil rights era. Corbitt's lobbying efforts for accurate road course measurement led to the formation of the AAU's National Standards Committee, the precursor of the Road Running Technical Council (RRTC). He was personally, "hands-on" responsible for the introduction of road course certification in America. An ultrarunning pioneer, Corbitt finished out his world-class career with a series of track races in London, all of them when he was over the age of 50. In these races, he set long-standing American track records for 50 miles, 100 miles and 24 hours. This November in New York City, Corbitt was honored (and participated) as a Runner's World "Hero" for his contributions to the sport. He is also a member of several Hall of Fames. Rich Innamorato, President of the Broadway Ultra Society and Ted Corbitt's longtime friend and colleague, sent out the following personal note: Today the music has died...for the running community and for humanity. We all know his legendary feats as a runner, but he was even a far greater person. He was a humanitarian. One of his great gifts was not to prejudge people just as he would not want to be prejudged. He accepted you for who you were and allowed you to be yourself. He was [a] healer...and dedicated his life to provide cure and comfort to the critically disabled and injured. He was still treating patients just before his latest illness. He was a scholar. He had a great propensity to "learn" no matter the subject matter. His own success, whether it was cerebral or physical, was due to that desire to learn... He was a marvel...he would push his limits no matter the obstacles. Even as an octogenarian, he walked 303 miles in 6 days while enduring shin splints. Life was a series of tests for him, and it was the partaking that was the most important, not the passing or failing. He led by example every single day, and his character, dedication, kindness and values all touched our lives. We are richer to know him or know of him. May he always live in peace and be blessed by God. Ryan Lamppa, Running USA Media Director (805) 696-6232; Fax = (805) 659-0016 Ryan@RunningUSA.org www.RunningUSA.org. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest