Conversations with Larry: Buddy Edelen and the importance of athletics in Great Britain

Buddy Edelen was the American record holder in the marathon and a 1964 Olympian for the US. After the Tokyo Olympics, Buddy went to England and ran and trained with the finest distance runners in the world. In one of the books written about Buddy, he noted that he want to England to become a runner.

Andrew Butchart, photo by PhotoRun.net

For me, a parellel story. I went to England in 2006 to observe and learn how track meets were managed and presented. Ian Stewart, the 1972 bronze medalist over 5000 meters in Munich, took me to his meets in Birmingham and Crystal Palace. David Bedford was very tolerant of my questions surrounding the London Marathon. I met with Brendan Foster a few times over his Great Runs, he was always cheerful in answering questions.

I learn and continue to learn from my trips to England. It is all about building the sport.