Don Kardong Interview

In this new “Running: State of the Sport” podcast, George and Amby chat with legendary U.S. runner, Don Kardong. Don finished 4th in the controversial 1976 Olympic Marathon--we talk a lot about that. 

He also founded and race-directed the huge Lilac Bloomsday 12K in Spokane, Washington, and has finished the race himself 48 years in a row. A leader in the transition from “shamateurism” to open, professional road-racing, Don served as president of the Road Runners Club of America in the 1990s.


Other topics covered in this podcast

# How Don finished third in the 1976 Olympic Trials Marathon

# What he learned by racing against the likes of Steve Prefontaine and Frank Shorter

# His early 1970s training--up to 140 miles a week!

# Why he wishes he had brought a bronze medal back home from Montreal

# The joys of organizing a mega road race

# What Spokane’s city leaders thought when he told him the new 12K in 1977 would be called “Bloomsday”

# Don’s favorite stories among the many he wrote for Runner’s World and other running magazines

# His funny ice-cream quote that is most often repeated back to him

# What life lessons he learned from running


Where to find “Running: State of the Sport”

Use your smartphone to download podcast apps from Apple, Spotify, Audible, Pandora, or YouTube Podcasts. Once you've selected your favorite app, search for “running state of the sport.” 


With your computer, tablet, or smartphone, you can also listen direct to “Running: State of the Sport” at the below internet links.

Apple

Spotify

Audible

Pandora

I Heart Radio

YouTube

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