FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Frank Named Recipient of USATF Masters Long Distance Running Award
INDIANAPOLIS - Norm Frank, who has completed more marathons than any
American in history, will be presented with a Special Recognition Award by
USA Track & Field's Masters Long Distance Running Committee on April 19,
2010. The award will be presented in recognition of Frank's unique
contributions to the sport of Masters Long Distance Running.
The presentation will begin at 10 a.m., at an informal brunch to be held at
the Clover Blossom Legacy Retirement Community, 100 McAuley Dr., in
Rochester, N.Y. The date and time of the presentation were chosen to
coincide with the start time of the 114thrunning of the Boston Marathon, a
race that Frank has competed in 30 times.
Frank ran his first marathon at the 1967 Boston Marathon when he was
35-years old. Since then he has completed an incredible 965 marathons.
For three years, 1994-1997, Frank held the World Record for most marathons
completed according to the Guinness Book of Records. A resident of
Rochester, N.Y., the 78-year old Frank has run, trotted and walked in
marathons in every state in the Union and many nations abroad. His total of
965 Marathons completed equates to an average of over 20 marathons a year
since his first in 1967. All totaled he's logged some 25,000 miles in his
marathon races alone, and estimates place his total number of miles run at
86,000.
His first marathon was the venerable race in Boston, where he would answer
the starter's gun 29 more times in that city alone. He also ran marathons
in Ottawa, Athens, and several European nations. One of his most memorable
was the North Pole Marathon held just 200 miles away from the top of the
world. Why would he take on such a grueling challenge under frigid
conditions? "Just for fun and the challenge of participating in events like
this," said Frank. "Before long it became a habit. It was the thrill of
meeting local people and getting the feeling of the places I visited."
Meanwhile, all this was done while managing his own landscaping business
(Marathon Lawn Service) and raising two children, now grown. His personal
best of 3 hours 22 minutes set at the 1976 Rochester Marathon will not
challenge any records, but his longevity and enthusiasm for running is
legend.
Frank is currently battling back from three strokes and a bacterial
infection around his heart. He is making progress and is already back on a
treadmill. His goal is to complete 1,000 marathons.
Norm Frank's Century Milestone Marathons:
900th - Memphis Marathon - Memphis, TN
800th - Rocket City Marathon - Huntsville, AL
700th - Rocket City Marathon - Huntsville, AL
600th - Vermont City Marathon - Burlington, VT
500th - Eriesistable Marathon - Erie, PA
400th - Boston Marathon - Boston, MA
300th - Almost Heaven Marathon - Wheeling, WV
200th - Midnight Sun Marathon - North Pole
100th - Eriesistable Marathon - Erie, PA
1st - Boston 1967
About USA Track & Field
USA Track & Field (USATF) is the National Governing Body for track and
field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States. USATF
encompasses the world's oldest organized sports, some of the most-watched
events of Olympic broadcasts, the #1 high school and junior high school
participatory sport and more than 30 million adult runners in the United
States.
For more information on USATF, visit www.usatf.org
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