Bill Rodgers (athlete)
Encyclopedia
William "Bill" Henry Rodgers (born December 23, 1947 in Hartford
, Connecticut
) is an American
runner
and former American record holder in the marathon
who is best known for his victories in the Boston Marathon
and the New York City Marathon
in the late 1970s. His victories made him a hero and secondary fuel for the running boom of the 1970s
.
Rodgers won both races four times each between 1975 and 1980, twice breaking the American record at Boston
with a time of 2:09:55 in 1975 and a 2:09:27 in 1979. In 1977 he won the Fukuoka Marathon
, making him the only runner ever to hold the championship of all three major marathons at the same time. He made the 1976 U.S. Olympic team and raced the marathon at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, finishing 40th. He did not participate in the Olympics in 1980
due to the U.S. boycott over the invasion of Afghanistan
by the USSR. Rodgers is also the last U.S.-born winner in the men's or women's open divisions of the New York City Marathon to date; the two subsequent American winners were born in Cuba
(Alberto Salazar
) and Eritrea
(Meb Keflezighi).
In 1975 Rodgers won the bronze medal at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships
, equaling Tracy Smith's 1966 bronze in the International Cross Country
Championships as the highest an American had ever finished in international cross country competition. Rodgers' most remarkable year on the road racing circuit came in 1978 when he won 27 of the 30 races he entered, including the Pepsi 10,000 meter nationals (with a new world road 10K best time of 28:36.3), the Falmouth Road Race
, and the Boston & New York marathons. Rodgers is also the former world record holder for 25 kilometers as he broke Pekka Päivärinta
's world record with a time of 1:14.11.8 on a track at West Valley College
in Saratoga
, California
in 1979.
Track & Field News
ranked Rodgers #1 in the world in the marathon in 1975, 1977 and 1979. Of the 59 marathons Rodgers ran, 28 were run under 2:15. In all he won 22 marathons in his career. He came to be referred to by sportswriters and others as "Boston Billy".
Rodgers received his B.A. in sociology from Wesleyan University
. One of his teammates, Amby Burfoot, won the Boston Marathon
while still a student and went on to edit Runner's World
magazine. Rodgers also has an MS in special education from Boston College
.
Rodgers was inducted on December 3, 1999, in Los Angeles, California to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame located in Indianapolis, Indiana
. In 1998, Rodgers was inducted in the first round to the National Distance Running Hall of Fame
in Utica, New York
.
Bill Rodgers Running Center in Faneuil Hall Market Place in Boston, Massachusetts is owned and operated by Bill and his brother Charlie. The family-run business has been going since 1977.
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
runner
Running
Running is a means of terrestrial locomotion allowing humans and other animals to move rapidly on foot. It is simply defined in athletics terms as a gait in which at regular points during the running cycle both feet are off the ground...
and former American record holder in the marathon
Marathon
The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
who is best known for his victories in the Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
and the New York City Marathon
New York City Marathon
The New York City Marathon is a major annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with 45,103 finishers in 2010...
in the late 1970s. His victories made him a hero and secondary fuel for the running boom of the 1970s
Running boom of the 1970s
At the 1972 Summer Olympics, American long distance runner Frank Shorter won the 1972 Olympic Marathon. He was the third American to win the Olympic marathon, but the first event since 1908. The victory was covered by ABC, including dramatic coverage of the finish, when a German imposter ran into...
.
Rodgers won both races four times each between 1975 and 1980, twice breaking the American record at Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
with a time of 2:09:55 in 1975 and a 2:09:27 in 1979. In 1977 he won the Fukuoka Marathon
Fukuoka Marathon
The , held in Fukuoka, Japan, is an international men's marathon race established in 1947. It is usually held on the first Sunday in December.The course record is held by Tsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia, running 2:05:18 in 2009 to best his own record from the previous year.-Men's winners:Winners of the...
, making him the only runner ever to hold the championship of all three major marathons at the same time. He made the 1976 U.S. Olympic team and raced the marathon at the Montreal Olympics in 1976, finishing 40th. He did not participate in the Olympics in 1980
1980 Summer Olympics
The 1980 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event celebrated in Moscow in the Soviet Union. In addition, the yachting events were held in Tallinn, and some of the preliminary matches and the quarter-finals of the football tournament...
due to the U.S. boycott over the invasion of Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
by the USSR. Rodgers is also the last U.S.-born winner in the men's or women's open divisions of the New York City Marathon to date; the two subsequent American winners were born in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
(Alberto Salazar
Alberto Salazar
Alberto Salazar is an American marathon runner of the 1980s. Born in Cuba, Salazar emigrated to the United States with his family. They ultimately moved to Wayland, Massachusetts, where Salazar competed in track and field in high school...
) and Eritrea
Eritrea
Eritrea , officially the State of Eritrea, is a country in the Horn of Africa. Eritrea derives it's name from the Greek word Erethria, meaning 'red land'. The capital is Asmara. It is bordered by Sudan in the west, Ethiopia in the south, and Djibouti in the southeast...
(Meb Keflezighi).
In 1975 Rodgers won the bronze medal at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships
IAAF World Cross Country Championships
IAAF World Cross Country Championships is the most important competition in international cross country running. Held annually and organised by International Association of Athletics Federations , it was inaugurated in 1973, when it replaced the International Cross Country Championships...
, equaling Tracy Smith's 1966 bronze in the International Cross Country
Cross country running
Cross country running is a sport in which people run a race on open-air courses over natural terrain. The course, typically long, may include surfaces of grass and earth, pass through woodlands and open country, and include hills, flat ground and sometimes gravel road...
Championships as the highest an American had ever finished in international cross country competition. Rodgers' most remarkable year on the road racing circuit came in 1978 when he won 27 of the 30 races he entered, including the Pepsi 10,000 meter nationals (with a new world road 10K best time of 28:36.3), the Falmouth Road Race
Falmouth Road Race
The Falmouth Road Race is an annual 7-mile road race on Cape Cod from Woods Hole, a village in the town of Falmouth, Massachusetts, to Falmouth Heights.-History:...
, and the Boston & New York marathons. Rodgers is also the former world record holder for 25 kilometers as he broke Pekka Päivärinta
Pekka Päivärinta
Pekka Johannes Päivärinta is a former Finnish long-distance runner. He won men's senior race in the first World Championships of cross-country running in 1973. He competed in 1972 Olympics at 3000-meter steeplechase finishing 8th. In 1976 Olympics he competed in 5000 meters and finished 13th...
's world record with a time of 1:14.11.8 on a track at West Valley College
West Valley College
West Valley College is a community college in northern California. Founded in 1963, the campus is located on in the city of Saratoga. One of the distinguishing features of the school's location is that it is located right off of the West Valley Freeway....
in Saratoga
Saratoga, California
Saratoga is a city in Santa Clara County, California, USA. It is located on the west side of the Santa Clara Valley, directly west of San Jose, in the San Francisco Bay area. The population was 29,926 at the 2010 census....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in 1979.
Track & Field News
Track & Field News
Track & Field News is a magazine founded in 1948 by brothers Bert Nelson & Cordner Nelson, focused on the world of track and field.The magazine provides coverage of athletics in the U.S.A. from the high school to national level as well as covering the sport on an international bases. The magazine...
ranked Rodgers #1 in the world in the marathon in 1975, 1977 and 1979. Of the 59 marathons Rodgers ran, 28 were run under 2:15. In all he won 22 marathons in his career. He came to be referred to by sportswriters and others as "Boston Billy".
Rodgers received his B.A. in sociology from Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University
Wesleyan University is a private liberal arts college founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut. According to the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, Wesleyan is the only Baccalaureate College in the nation that emphasizes undergraduate instruction in the arts and...
. One of his teammates, Amby Burfoot, won the Boston Marathon
Boston Marathon
The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon hosted by the U.S. city of Boston, Massachusetts, on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897 and inspired by the success of the first modern-day marathon competition in the 1896 Summer Olympics, the Boston Marathon is the world's oldest...
while still a student and went on to edit Runner's World
Runner's World
Runner's World is a globally circulated monthly magazine for runners of all skills sets, published by Rodale Press in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, in the United States...
magazine. Rodgers also has an MS in special education from Boston College
Boston College
Boston College is a private Jesuit research university located in the village of Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA. The main campus is bisected by the border between the cities of Boston and Newton. It has 9,200 full-time undergraduates and 4,000 graduate students. Its name reflects its early...
.
Rodgers was inducted on December 3, 1999, in Los Angeles, California to the National Track & Field Hall of Fame located in Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. In 1998, Rodgers was inducted in the first round to the National Distance Running Hall of Fame
National Distance Running Hall of Fame
The National Distance Running Hall of Fame was established on July 11, 1998, to honor those who have contributed to the sport of distance running...
in Utica, New York
Utica, New York
Utica is a city in and the county seat of Oneida County, New York, United States. The population was 62,235 at the 2010 census, an increase of 2.6% from the 2000 census....
.
Bill Rodgers Running Center in Faneuil Hall Market Place in Boston, Massachusetts is owned and operated by Bill and his brother Charlie. The family-run business has been going since 1977.
Marathons
- 1973 Boston Marathon (Did not Finish)(DNF)
- 1973 Baystate MarathonBaystate MarathonThe Baystate Marathon is a marathon held in the city of Lowell, MA every October. It was first run in 1990 and has been run every year since then. The course is known as one of the flattest and fastest marathon courses in the northeastern United States. The race runs along the Merrimack River and...
(2:28:12) 1st Course Record (CR) - 1974 Boston (2:19:34) 14th
- 1974 New York City Marathon (NYC) (2:36:00) 5th
- 1974 Philadelphia MarathonPhiladelphia MarathonThe Philadelphia Marathon , founded in 1954, is an annual marathon sporting event hosted by the city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on the third Sunday of November each year. The course is a certified , and is sanctioned by the USA Track & Field.-History:In 2011, two competitors died...
(2:21:57) 1st CR - 1975 Boston (2:09:55) 1st American Record (AR)
- 1975 Enschede MarathonEnschede MarathonThe Enschede Marathon is an annual marathon race held in the city of Enschede, Netherlands. The race is the distance of a typical marathon . It has been held annually since 1991, after being bi-annual for the previous 44 years. The race crosses the German border through the city of Gronau...
, Holland (DNF) - 1975 Fukuoka Marathon (2:11:26) 3rd
- 1976 Olympic Trials (2:11:58) 2nd
- 1976 Montreal Olympics (2:25:14) 40th
- 1976 NYC (2:10:10) 1st CR
- 1976 Sedo Island, Japan (2:08:23) 1st CR (200 meters short)
- 1976 Maryland (2:14:28) 1st CR
- 1977 Kyoto, Japan (2:14:25) 1st
- 1977 Boston (DNF)
- 1977 AmsterdamAmsterdam MarathonThe Amsterdam Marathon is an annual marathon race over the classic distance of 42.195km held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands since 1975. It is one of the top ten marathons in the world.-History:...
, Holland (2:12:46) 1st CR - 1977 Waynesboro (2:25:12) 1st
- 1977 NYC (2:11:28) 1st
- 1977 Fukuoka (2:10:55) 1st
- 1978 Boston (2:10:13) 1st
- 1978 NYC (2:12:12) 1st
- 1978 Fukuoka (2:12:53) 6th
- 1979 Boston (2:09:27) 1st AR
- 1979 Montreal (2:22:12) 15th
- 1979 NYC (2:11:42) 1st
- 1980 Boston (2:12:11) 1st
- 1980 Toronto (2:14:47) 1st
- 1980 NYC (2:13:20) 5th
- 1981 Houston-Tennaco (2:12:10) 1st CR
- 1981 Boston (2:10:34) 3rd
- 1981 Atlantica-Boavista, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (2:14:13) 1st CR
- 1981 Stockholm, Sweden (2:13:28) 1st
- 1981 Bank One, Columbus, OH (2:17:34) 7th
- 1982 Houston (2:14:51) 5th
- 1982 Tokyo (2:24) 301st
- 1982 Boston (2:12:38) 4th
- 1982 Atlantica-Boavista, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (DNF)
- 1982 MelbourneMelbourne MarathonThe Melbourne Marathon has been held every year from 1978. It is run over the traditional marathon distance. . The Race celebrated its 30th birthday in 2007 with a new course which featured the Melbourne Cricket Ground as both the starting point and finishing point. 3328 competitors completed the...
, Australia (2:11:08) 1st - 1983 Orange Bowl, FL (2:15:08) 1st
- 1983 Boston (2:11:58) 10th
- 1983 Beijing, China (DNF)
- 1983 ChicagoChicago MarathonThe Bank of America Chicago Marathon is a major marathon held yearly in Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, United States. Alongside the Boston, New York, London and Berlin Marathons, it is one of the five World Marathon Majors. Thus, it is also an IAAF Gold Label race...
(2:21:40) - 1984 U.S. Olympic Trials (2:13:31) 8th
- 1985 New Jersey Waterfront (2:14:46) 2nd
- 1985 NYC (2:15:31) 7th
- 1986 Boston (2:13:35) 4th
- 1986 Chicago (2:15:31) 11th
- 1987 Phoenix (DNF)
- 1987 Boston (2:18:18) 15th
- 1987 NYC (2:25:01) 54th
- 1988 Phoenix (DNF)
- 1988 Los Angeles ( 2:20:27) 2nd masters
- 1988 Boston (2:18:17) 2nd masters
- 1988 NYC (DNF)
- 1989 Los Angeles (2:22:24)
- 1990 Boston (2:20:46) 5th masters
- 1992 Vietnam International 19th
- 1996 Boston (2:53)
- 1999 Boston (DNF)
- 2009 Boston (4:06:49)
Awards and distinctions
- 1973 AAU All-American Long Distance Team (20K)
- 1975 National AAU- DI Benadato Award - Best Athletic Performance
- 1975 Nominated Sullivan AwardJames E. Sullivan AwardThe James E. Sullivan Award, presented by the American Amateur Athletic Union , is awarded annually in April to "the outstanding amateur athlete in the United States". Often referred to as the Oscar of sports awards, it was first presented in 1930. The award is named for the AAU's founder and past...
(placed second) - 1975 Ranked #1 in the World in the Marathon by Track & Field NewsTrack & Field NewsTrack & Field News is a magazine founded in 1948 by brothers Bert Nelson & Cordner Nelson, focused on the world of track and field.The magazine provides coverage of athletics in the U.S.A. from the high school to national level as well as covering the sport on an international bases. The magazine...
- 1976 Ranked #6 in the World in the Marathon by Track & Field News
- 1976 Member U.S. Olympic Team - Montreal, Canada
- 1976 AAU All-American Track & Field Team (10K)
- 1977 Ranked #1 in the World in the Marathon by Track & Field News
- 1978 Ranked #2 in the World in the Marathon by Track & Field News
- 1979 Ranked #1 in the World in the Marathon by Track & Field News
- 1981 Ranked #7 in the World in the Marathon by Track & Field News
- 1989 New York Road Runners Club Abebe Bikila AwardAbebe Bikila AwardThe Abebe Bikila Award is an annual prize given by the New York Road Runners club to honour individuals who have made a significant contribution to the sport of long-distance running. The first recipient of the award was Ted Corbitt, a founder of both NYRR and the Road Runners Club of America, who...
- 1989 Tiffany's Man of Achievement Award
- 1990 RRCA Masters of the Year Award
- 1992 RRCA Masters of the Year Award
- 1994 CT Sports Writers Alliance Gold Key Award
- 1999 Inducted into Long Distance Running Hall of Fame
- 2000 Inducted into USA Track and FieldUSA Track and FieldUSA Track & Field is the United States national governing body for the sports of track and field, cross country running, road running and racewalking...
Hall of Fame
Personal track records
- 1 mile - 4:18.8
- 2 miles - 8:48 (indoor practice); 8:53.6 (1975)
- 3 miles - 13:25.4 (1976)
- 5 kilometers - 13:42.00 (1978)
- 10 kilometers - 28:04.4 (1976)
- 15 kilometers - 43:39.8 (1977 - American Record)
- 10 miles - 46:35
- 20 kilometers - 58:15 (1977 - American Record)
- 1 hour - 12 mi 1351 yd (20.556 km) (1977 - American Record)
- 25 kilometers - 1:14:12 (1979 - World and American Record)
- 30 kilometers - 1:31:50 (1979 - American Record)
Personal road records
- 10 kilometers: 28:16 (1983)
- 15 kilometers: 43:25 (1981)
- 20 kilometers: 58:43 (1982)
- 25 kilometers: 1:17:23
- 30 kilometers: 1:29:04 (1976 - Unofficial World Road Record)
- Marathon (42.195 kilometers): 2:09:27 (1979 - former American record)
Major road race wins
- Boston Marathon: 4 wins
- New York City Marathon: 4 wins
- Fukuoka Marathon: 1 win
- Amsterdam Marathon: 1 win
- Houston MarathonHouston MarathonThe Houston Marathon is an annual marathon held every January in Houston, Texas. With thousands of runners and spectators, it is the largest single day sporting event in the city. It is run concurrently with a half marathon and a 5 km race...
: 1 win - Melbourne MarathonMelbourne MarathonThe Melbourne Marathon has been held every year from 1978. It is run over the traditional marathon distance. . The Race celebrated its 30th birthday in 2007 with a new course which featured the Melbourne Cricket Ground as both the starting point and finishing point. 3328 competitors completed the...
: 1 win - Falmouth Road Race: 3 wins
- Lynchburg 10 miler: 5 wins
- Cherry Blossom 10-Mile RunCherry Blossom 10-Mile RunThe Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run is an annual 10-mile road race in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1973 originally as a precursor training run for elite runners planning to compete in the Boston Marathon, the race has evolved over the years into a local race for runners of all abilities...
: 4 wins - Utica Boilermaker 15 km: 1 win
- Beverly Hills 10 km: 4 wins
- Azalea Trail 10 km: 4 wins
- Gurnet Classic Beach Run, Duxbury MA
- Bloomsday 12 km: 1 win
- Gasparilla 15 km: 1 win (first yr.)
- Jacksonville 15 km: 1 win
- BIX 7: 2 wins (incl. first yr.)
- Big Boy 20 km: 3 wins
See also
Books
- Rodgers, Bill, Marathoning (with Joe Concannon) (1980) Simon & Schuster, ISBN 0-671-25087-6
- Rodgers, Bill, Masters Running and Racing (with Joe Henderson (runner)|Joe Henderson and Priscilla Welch) (1995) Rodale Books, ISBN 0-87596-330-7
- Rodgers,Bill, Bill Rodgers' Lifetime Running Plan: Definitive Programs for Runners of all Ages and Levels (1996) Collins, ISBN 0-06-273386-9
- Rodgers, Bill & Douglas, Scott, The Complete Idiot's Guide to Running, 2nd edition (2003) Alpha, ISBN 0-02-864466-2
- Derderian, Tom, Boston Marathon:The First Century of the World's Premiere Running Event, 1996, Human Kinetics, Champaign, IL, ISBN 0-88011-479-7