Marathon man urges runners to run vs best

MANILA, Philippines - “Compete against the best.”

This was the advice given by veteran marathoner and Guiness Book of Records holder Dick Beardsley during a speaking engagement sponsored by the British American Tobacco (Philippines) Limited yesterday at the Phl Sports Commission’s audiovisual room.

“Run with your full potential, not for the money. Runners must know what they are really aiming before competing,” said Beardsley, who was accompanied by BAT general manager James Lafferty, PSC commissioners Jolly Gomez and Akiko Thomson-Guevarra and Phl track and field chief Philip Juico.

The 59-year-old Beardsley is best remembered for finishing second to Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon, on which he later based his book titled “Duel in the Sun”, which chronicled his memorable neck-and-neck duel with Salazar.

Beardsley was also in the Guiness Book of Records for being the only man to run 13 consecutive personal bests in a marathon.

“Beardsley’s experiences both in his running career and his personal life had inspired people to strive to fulfill their dreams despite seemingly insurmountable odds. His performance in the 1982 Boston Marathon showed that even underdogs can give the biggest, baddest, toughest competitors a run for their money,” said Lafferty.

Beardsley’s six-day itinerary here will include speaking engagements with BAT employees and members of the national track and field team including the developmental pool and a courtesy call on Sen. Pia Cayetano.

Beardsley will also lead an informal group talk and running event at Filinvest City in partnership with runnner and blogger Jaymie Pizzaro, also known as “The Bull Runner.”