Frank Richardson (runner)

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Frank Richardson (born February 26, 1955) is a retired marathon runner who competed during the 1970s and 1980s. Before entering his first races in the late 1970s, Richardson was 4th at the 1976

1980 United States Olympic Trials
. After ending his marathon career in 1985, Richardson worked at a pharmacy before resuming road racing in 2001.

Early life and education

On February 26, 1955, Richardson was born in Sac City, Iowa.[1][2] Growing up, Richardson played multiple sports before becoming a runner in his teens.[3] In 1973, Richardson was injured in a car accident and sustained a vertebral compression fracture months before he was to start an athletic scholarship at Drake University.[4] Following his injury, Richardson was advised not to do any running for half a year.[3]

For his post-secondary education, Richardson initially studied physics at the

life sciences.[3][5] After completing his MIT program, Richardson went to Iowa State University in the late 1970s for veterinary medicine.[6] While at Iowa State, Richardson went to San Francisco for his veterinary training.[3] For additional education, Richardson completed a degree specializing in experimental pathology.[7]

Career

While at MIT in 1976, Richardson was 4th at the

NCAA Division III Men's Outdoor Track and Field Championships, Richardson won the 10,000 meters with a time of 29:50:92.[10][11] That same year, Richardson began his road running career in mid 1977.[3] Between 1978 and 1985, Richardson primarily competed in American races ranging from the 10 kilometers and marathon.[1]

During this time period, Richardson was 20th at the 1979

In June 1980, Richardson won the

The Athletics Congress for running in a professional event as an amateur athlete.[19] Throughout the 1980s, Richardson continued to run in marathons until 1985.[1]

Post-career

After ending his marathon career, Richardson worked at a pharmacy before he reappeared at road racing events in 2001. Richardson is married and has three kids.[7]

References

  1. ^ a b c "Runner: Frank Richardson". Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  2. ^ White, Maury (June 26, 1980). "A Little Bit About a Lot of Things". Des Moines Register Peach. p. 1S.
  3. ^ a b c d e White, Maury (February 8, 1980). "Untitled". Des Moines Register Peach. p. 1S.
  4. ^ Hanson, Dave (September 9, 1980). "Richardson the runner: He overcame". Des Moines Tribune. p. 13.
  5. ^ a b Hanson 1980, p. 15
  6. ^ Kadel, Steve (October 9, 1978). "Richardson tops field in Governor's Cup run". Des Moines Register. p. 4S.
  7. ^ a b Hersh, Philip (September 22, 2002). "The fourth marathon: Sept. 28, 1980". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  8. ^ "Fourth Annual Cross-Country NCAA Div. III National Championships" (PDF). Pomona Pitzer. November 13, 1976. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  9. ^ "Lehigh nips FDU for IC4A crown". The Record. Hackensack, New Jersey. November 16, 1976. p. B-15.
  10. ^ "York College Nine Toppled. 10-1". York Daily Record. May 28, 1977. p. 21.
  11. ^ "1977 Championships" (PDF). Pomona Pitzer. May 1977. Retrieved 12 June 2020.
  12. ^ "Top 50 Finishers In Boston Marathon". Hartford Courant. April 17, 1979. p. 46.
  13. ^ "USA Marathon Champions". USA Track & Field. Archived from the original on October 5, 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2020.
  14. ^ "Wrong turn cuts AAU marathon short". Tallahassee Democrat (Main ed.). January 30, 1980. p. 7B.
  15. ^ "U.S. Marathon Trials". Florida Today. May 28, 1980. p. 2C.
  16. ^ "Train fails to derail the winner". Vancouver Sun. June 16, 1980. p. B2.
  17. ^ "Ames' Richardson tops Chicago marathon field". Waterloo Courier. September 29, 1980. p. 25.
  18. ^ "N.Y. Marathon". The Tennessean (First ed.). October 28, 1980. p. 23.
  19. ^ "TAC suspends 'amateur' runners". Petaluma Argus-Courier. November 25, 1981. p. 7.