Alberto Salazars’ World Best Marathon, New York City Marathon, October 25, 1981-Thirty years, and three days, by Jeff Benjamin, note by Larry Eder

30 yrs ago today–10/25/81–Salazar WB Marathon 2:08:13

 

By Jeff Benjamin

 

Hard to believe that in 1981, there was no internet connection
available to countless billions of people. Instant news was hard to come
by, except on AM (remember that?) radio. But thanks to WABC TV millions
of people, especially the running/track fans, tuned in 30 years ago
today to see if Alberto Salazar would do what he said he would. AND he
did!!

 

In his first attempt at the NYC Marathon distance in 1980, the
young University of Oregon XC and track star told the press how he would
boldly win that race and go under 2 hours and 10 minutes. As ABC
broadcaster Marty Liquori said, “The press and the running community
were not accustomed to such bold statements”, especially from a rookie!
However, 2 hours 9 minutes and 41 seconds later, Salazar (ironically
dubbed “The Rookie” as a young high schooler by Bill Rodgers’ Greater Boston
Track Club, who he trained with in high school) delivered as promised,
defeating a world class field in the attempt as well.

 

Now, in 1981, the returning champion, announcing himself fitter
than the previous year, vowed to set the World Best for the 26.2 mile
distance which was held by Australias’ Derek Clayton (2:08:34). As
related to Olympian Kenny Moore for his article in Sports Illustrated,
Alberto even told his nervous wife the morning of the race, “‘Don’t
worry. It’s going to turn out just as we’ve planned.”

 

Boy, it sure did. With conditions of 50 degrees and little
humidity, the race pack of 30 went through 5 miles in 24:15, then
started to dwindle as Salazar, running for Athletics West, went through
10 miles in 49:05. Their 1/2 marathon split was 1:04:10. By 16 miles,
Salazar threw in a 4:43 per mile pace over the next 3 miles. Only
Mexican Joser Gomez was with him at the crucial 20 mile mark.

That
didn’t last long though, as Salazar ran hard over the last part of the
race, clocking a 4:52 25th mile and a 4:58 last mile! Before an excited,
hysterical crowd in Central Park (including TV announcers Marty
Liquori,Jim McKay, and radio announcers Tony Reavis and Gloria
Averbusch) where even Race Director Fred Lebow lost control and tried to
run with him over the last few yards but was stopped by police and
secutrity, Salazar shattered Clayton’s mark by 21 seconds, vowing that he
could have run faster if there was competition with him!

 

To the millions of television viewers, Alberto Salazar had promised
a grand achievement and surely delivered! Women’s winner Allison Roe
also set a World Best that day for women, running 2:25:29, beating the
previous record of Grete Waitz.

Yet, sadly, a few years later, in their
so-called “expertise and wisdom” the governing bodies decided that the
NY Marathon Course was not valid and found to be short by about 100
yards. But debate about the measurements, how they are performed and the
validities of not only the New York Course, but other courses around
America and the world continue to haunt our sport to this day (Even
David Katz, one of the certifiers of the NY Course, who is known and
respected for his marathon expertise worldwide, recently said on a forum
in LetsRun.com, “I was involved with the re-measurement (I have
all of the paper work). There were some politics involved.”)

Also, here
is what Allison Roe said to Kenny Moore after her World Best ;  “The men
running around me were wonderful,” she said. “They called and cheered
and wouldn’t let me slow. I realized there was a chance, but my legs
were tight. I felt I was going slower and slower.” One wonders how that
would play out today, in light of the recent IAAF ruling concerning
women marathon records!