Mr BioFile Interviews by Scoop Malinowski
By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Winner of three New York City Marathons.
DOB: August 7, 1958 In: Cuba
First running memory: “I would say winning junior high school ‘field day’ 600 meters. First big race I ever won [smiles].”
Running inspirations: “One was Steve Prefontaine…Dave Bedford from England…And Ron Clarke from Australia.”
Hobbies/leisure activities: “Besides coaching and working at Nike – that’s pretty much my work and it’s a hobby. As far as leisure activities – it’s my family.”
Favorite movie: “Raging Bull with Robert DeNiro I loved.”
Favorite TV show: “Law & Order.”
Favorite ice cream flavor: “Light chocolate chip mint.”
Favorite meal: “Arroz y pollo. It’s a Cuban dish, chicken with rice.”
Current car: “BMW.”
First car: “Was a yellow VW Rabbit.”
First job: “Was busboy and a baker at a restaurant, Mel’s restaurant.”
Childhood dream: “For a while, a priest, and a policeman.”
Greatest sports moment: “Running career…winning the Comrades Marathon (56 miles) in 1994 in South Africa. (Why that over New York City Marathon?) Because I’d been retired for a long time and it was the hardest thing I ever did in my life.”
Most painful moment: “Comrades Marathon.”
Funny career memory: “My father running the New York City Marathon, running right behind me, and screwing up the timing system two years in a row. Because he was the second person to cross, so everybody was off by a place after that. So Fred Lebow – the last year – had two State Troopers assigned to my dad – to tackle him if he tried to cross the finish line [smiles].”
Embarrassing career memory: “When in high school, lined up to race, pulled my sweats down and I forgot my shorts. I was in my underwear [smiles]. (What did you do?) Someone lent me a pair of shorts very quick.”
Favorite marathon: “New York City Marathon.”
Pre-race feeling: “Nervous but optimistic. A good anxiety.”
Last vacation: “Every year we go to the Hawaii Marathon, then we take a vacation after it, my family and I.”
Favorite runner to watch: “Kenenisa Bekele from Ethiopia is my favorite runner of all. He has the most perfect biomechanics. He’s tough. Can handle anything.”
People qualities most admired: “I would say integrity. And people who are charitable towards others.”
Residence: Oregon.
Career Accomplishments: Winner of three consecutive New York City Marathons (1980, 1981, 1982); Winner of 1982 Boston Marathon; Winner of 1978 NCAA National Cross Country Championships; U.S. Olympian in 1980 (boycotted) and 1984 (finished in 15th place in marathon event); Coach of Nike Oregon Project.
