An American athlete, writer, and journalist who won the 1976 Boston Marathon and later became a prominent running journalist and author, known for his humorous and insightful writing on the sport.
Don Kardong is a name synonymous with endurance, perseverance, and an unwavering passion for running. As a renowned athlete, author, and journalist, Kardong has left an indelible mark on the world of running, inspiring generations of athletes and enthusiasts alike.
Born on December 22, 1948, in the United States, Kardong's journey began at Seattle Prep, where he graduated in 1967. He then went on to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology from Stanford University in 1971, where he honed his running skills, primarily focusing on the 5000 meters (3.1 miles).
In 1998, controversy arose concerning steroid use by East German athletes at the 1976 Summer Olympics, including gold medalist Waldemar Cierpinski. If medals were reassigned only to drug-free athletes, American Frank Shorter would take the gold, followed by silver medalist Karel Lismont of Belgium, and bronze medalist Don Kardong for Team USA.
From 1977 to 1986, Kardong owned and operated a retail running store in Spokane, where he founded the Lilac Bloomsday Run, a 12-kilometer (7.5-mile) event that has become an annual tradition.
As a journalist and author, Kardong was a contributing editor for Running magazine from 1980 to 1983, and a contributing editor (1983-1985) and senior writer (1985-1987) for The Runner magazine. Since 1987, Kardong has been a contributing writer for Runner's World magazine.
Kardong was president of the Road Runners Club of America from 1996 to 2000, serving as executive director from 2000 to 2005. Through his writing and advocacy, Kardong has continued to inspire and educate runners of all levels, cementing his legacy as a champion of the sport.
Today, Don Kardong's contributions to the world of running are still felt, inspiring new generations of athletes to lace up their shoes and hit the pavement. His unwavering dedication to the sport, combined with his passion for storytelling, has created a lasting impact that will continue to reverberate for years to come.
78 Years Old
Olympic gold and silver medalist in the 1970s, and later a TV commentator for track and field events, known for his dominance in long-distance running and charismatic broadcasting style.
75 Years Old
Won the 1981 Open Championship at Royal St George's, becoming the first American to win the tournament in 50 years, and had 5 PGA Tour victories.
75 Years Old
A middle-distance runner who won seven NCAA championships and set 15 American records, known for his aggressive racing style and charismatic personality.
82 Years Old
A pioneering distance runner who set multiple American records, later becoming a celebrated journalist and author, known for his insightful and poetic writing on running and life.
77 Years Old
A Finnish runner and police officer who won four Olympic gold medals in the 1970s, setting multiple world records in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters. He's a national hero in Finland for his athletic achievements.
Born in 1922
A Czech long-distance runner who won four Olympic gold medals and set multiple world records, known for his intense training methods and dominance in the 1940s and 1950s.
Born in 1897
A Finnish running legend, known for dominating distance running in the 1920s, winning 12 Olympic medals and setting 22 official world records.
53 Years Old
A world-class long-distance runner who won numerous Olympic and World Championship titles, setting multiple records in the 10,000 meters and marathon events.
