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In August 2010, it was reported that Beardsley and his wife filed for [[bankruptcy]].<ref name="duluth_news_bankrupt">{{cite news|last=Nowatzki|first=Mike|title=Marathoner Beardsley files for bankruptcy|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/177354/|accessdate=2 October 2010|newspaper=[[Duluth News Tribune]]|date=28 August 2010}}</ref> Beardsley's wife said that they filed to consolidate IRS debt.<ref name="duluth_news_bankrupt" />
In August 2010, it was reported that Beardsley and his wife filed for [[bankruptcy]].<ref name="duluth_news_bankrupt">{{cite news|last=Nowatzki|first=Mike|title=Marathoner Beardsley files for bankruptcy|url=http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/177354/|accessdate=2 October 2010|newspaper=[[Duluth News Tribune]]|date=28 August 2010}}</ref> Beardsley's wife said that they filed to consolidate IRS debt.<ref name="duluth_news_bankrupt" />

==Further reading ==
* ''Staying The Course: A Runner's Toughest Race'', Dick Beardsley, ISBN 081663758X; published by University of Minnesota Press, January 2002


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 00:57, 1 June 2011

Dick Beardsley
File:Dick beardsley florist2.jpg
Dick Beardsley - Motivational / Inspirational Speaker
Born (1956-03-21) 21 March 1956 (age 68)
Nationality Vereinigte Staaten
Occupation(s)Long Distance Runner, Author, Motivational speaker
WebsiteOfficial Website

Dick Beardsley (born March 21, 1956 in Minneapolis, Minnesota) is an American long-distance runner best known for his close finish with Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon.

Running career

Beardsley ran his first marathon in 2:47:14 at the 1977 Paavo Nurmi Marathon in Hurley, Wisconsin. In subsequent marathons, he steadily lowered his times: 2:33:22, 2:33:06, and 2:31:50. Beardsley is the only man to have ever run 13 consecutive personal bests in the marathon, and is in the Guinness Book of World Records for the feat.[1]

His finish time of 2:09:37 at the 1981 Grandma's Marathon is still the course record. Beardsley placed second (2:08:53) on the heels of Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon,[2] which at the time, broke the Boston Marathon course record and the American record.

Beardsley is one of the subjects of the 2006 book, Duel in the Sun by John Brant. His memoir, Staying the Course: A Runner's Toughest Race, was published in 2002 by the University of Minnesota Press.[3]

In 2010, Beardsley was inducted into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.[4]

  • All results regarding marathon, unless stated otherwise
Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing the  Vereinigte Staaten
1981 London Marathon London, United Kingdom 1st 2:11:48
Grandma's Marathon Duluth, United States 1st 2:09:37
1982 Grandma's Marathon Duluth, United States 1st 2:14:50

Injuries

In November, 1989 Beardsley nearly died in a farm mishap which required five months to recuperate. Between July 1992 and February 1993, he was involved in three serious automobile accidents, each requiring hospitalization for back and neck injuries. While on a hike, he was hurt after falling down an embankment when the path collapsed. He underwent three back operations in 1994, then had knee surgery in 1995.[5][6]

Drug addiction

After each of his injuries, Beardsley was prescribed medication for the pain. Over four years, his body developed a tolerance for the drugs, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. He was in denial that he had a drug problem, but his addiction caused him to forge prescriptions at drug stores to satisfy his need for pills until he was arrested on September 30, 1996.[5] He was sentenced to five years probation and 460 hours of community service.[7]

Rehabilitation

Beardsley spent nine days in a psychiatric unit where he was prescribed methadone to replace the pills. He was released for outpatient treatment, then back to inpatient treatment where he quit methadone, and outpatient treatment again.[5] His first day of chemical-free sobriety was February 12, 1997.[6]

Dick Beardsley Foundation

Beardsley started the Dick Beardsley Foundation in October 2007[8] to provide assistance to individuals suffering from chemical dependency who are unable to pay for a 12-step treatment program. The foundation seeks to educate the general public about chemical dependency and allows Dick Beardsley to speak to people across the country about his own experience in overcoming addiction.[9][10]

Current running and speaking

He started the Dick Beardsley Marathon Running Camp in 2003, which is held each September at Rainbow Resort in Waubun, Minnesota.[11]

Beardsley moved from Minnesota to Austin, Texas in 2007[6] and in November, remarried his wife, Jill, who had lived in Austin since 1983. Their family now includes his son Andrew and Jill's children, Christopher and Matthew,[8] as well as three dogs and three cats.[12]

In January 2009, Beardsley had a total knee replacement on his right knee, due to an infection. Today, Beardsley not only is still running, but maintains his active lifestyle by adding biking and swimming to his routine.

In August 2010, it was reported that Beardsley and his wife filed for bankruptcy.[13] Beardsley's wife said that they filed to consolidate IRS debt.[13]

References

  1. ^ Brant, John (2006). Duel In The Sun: Alberto Salazar, Dick Beardsley, and America's greatest marathon. Rodale. p. 33. ISBN 1594862621.
  2. ^ http://www.dbrunningcompany.com/video/myvideoplayer.html
  3. ^ "Legendary Marathoner Dick Beardsley visits KSEE Sunrise". KSEE24. Retrieved 2 March 2011.
  4. ^ Perritano, Fran: "Beardsley, Gorman elected to Distance Running Hall of Fame" Utica Observer-Dispatch, April 19, 2010
  5. ^ a b c "Life - Dick's Accident" Dick Beardsley Foundation website
  6. ^ a b c "Who is Dick Beardsley?" Tacoma City Marathon
  7. ^ Nowatzki, Dick: "Marathoner Beardsley files for bankruptcy" Duluth News Tribune, August 28, 2010
  8. ^ a b "Dick Beardsley to attend First Annual Thunder Bay Marathon" Thunder Bay Maraton website, September 2010
  9. ^ Hoban, Brom: "Motivation not a problem for marathoner Dick Beardsley" Austin Statesman, February 15, 2011
  10. ^ "Dick Beardsley Foundation homepage"
  11. ^ "2008 Dick Beardsley Marathon Running Camp" Marathon and Beyond magazine, Camps
  12. ^ "Board Members-Jill Beardsley" Dick Beardsley Foundation website
  13. ^ a b Nowatzki, Mike (28 August 2010). "Marathoner Beardsley files for bankruptcy". Duluth News Tribune. Retrieved 2 October 2010.


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