New York marathon in 1983 (© Getty Images)
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of his historic win in the 1983 race, Rod Dixon of New Zealand will return to the streets of New York to run in the ING New York City Marathon 2008 on Sunday 2 November, with his daughter, Emma.
“To win the New York City Marathon on October 23, 1983, was a defining moment in my competitive running life,” says Dixon. “It was a time to savour the years of running and training, and furthermore, it was my moment to celebrate and give thanks. Twenty-five years later, I will run with the memory of my friendship with and respect for Fred Lebow, who convinced me that ‘from the mile to the marathon’ would be my victory mantra.”
Dixon, 58, who lives near Los Angeles, will be running alongside Emma, 28, who has been training in Australia, in the 39th running of the five-borough classic.
In one of the most memorable comebacks in sports history, Dixon passed Geoff Smith of England in the final 400 meters of the 1983 New York City Marathon to finish in 2:08:59, just nine seconds ahead of Smith.
Regarded as one of the top middle-distance runners of his time, Dixon won the bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the 1972 Olympics in Munich and finished fourth in the 5000 meters four years later in Montreal. He also earned two bronze medals at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships (1973, 1982) and had great success on the U.S. road racing circuit including wins at the Falmouth Road Race (1980) and the Bay to Breakers 12K (1982, 1983).
NYRR
