Remembering Jan Johnson (Conversation with Larry) : Saluting an Icon

Remembering Jan Johnson (Conversations with Larry): Saluting an Icon, audio by Larry Eder, is recorded by Mike Deering, mixing and graphics by Mike Deering

Remembering Jan Johnson (Conversation with Larry) : Saluting an Icon

This Day in Track & Field/X-Country, April 2, Lillian Copeland sets AR in shot put (1935), Wes Santee Runs 4:00.5 for mile (1955), Russ Francis sets AR in high school javelin (1971), by Walt Murphy

[Audio] Galen Rupp Interviewed at the New Balance Indoor Grand Prix (from RBR Archives, February 2014)

What is Grand Slam Track? What to expect in its first entire season of innovation to transform Track?

Thoughts shared by Larry Eder, RunBlogRun

Jan Johnson, 1950-2025 was NCAA Champion, Olympic bronze medalist, inventor, coach, writer, ex-husband, father, friend, grandfather. Jan was many things.

Jan, like all humans, had his demons.

The confluence of skate culture, pole vault culture, and surf culture were all in Atascadero.

Jan Johnson’s legacy? Over most of his life, Jan has drawn many to the pole vault, and his legacy will be the continued growth of the event in both men’s and women’s pole vault.

Jan was the first advertiser in my pub, American Athletics, with HIND and Skyjumpers. He was also first in American Track & Field. Jan and John Powell went out of their way to help us make our publications successful.

I did this podcast in honor of my friend, Jan Johnson, I hope you like it.

I thank Billy Smith and his wife, Jennifer, who hosted me in San Luis Obispo.

Author

Larry Eder
Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."
View all posts