Where are they now?: Dick Beardsley
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.NOTHING about the first London Marathon, in 1981, delighted the organisers more than the sight of Inge Simonsen, of Oslo, and Dick Beardsley, from America's Midwest, crossing the line together in a spontaneous gesture of global sportsmanship.
'It just happened,' Beardsley recalled. 'Nothing was pre-planned.' Even though neither sought to win outright, their time - 2hr 11min 48sec - was the fastest ever in England and contributed to a record sequence of 13 consecutive personal bests by Beardsley, who peaked at 2.08:53 in Boston in 1982.
Beardsley retired to his dairy farm in 1988, whereupon he entered an extraordinary sequence of mishaps. 'First I got caught up in a rotating shaft on the farm and almost had my left leg torn off at the knee. I was really lucky - twice they were going to amputate.'
Next: three road accidents. 'A lady ran a stop sign and totalled our car; then I got hit by a truck, and then, in a snowstorm, I flipped my own truck and totalled that.'
Incredibly, he plans a comeback. 'I had back surgery and haven't run since December but if I can get back into half-decent shape I may go after a sub-2.20 as a master (veteran), maybe in London in 1996.'
Now 38, the farm sold, he lives with his wife and adopted Honduran son in Crookston, Minnesota, making a living as a motivational speaker, farm broadcaster and fishing expedition guide.
(Photograph omitted)
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments