All Things Boston
Dick Beardsley
Dick Beardsley has a terrific story to tell, and he tells it extremely well. A talented runner in college and beyond, Dick rose to fame primarily as a marathoner. He holds a record for improving his best marathon time 13 consecutive times, starting with his first-ever marathon. He is perhaps best known, however, as one-half of the famed “duel in the sun” duo with Alberto Salazar, where, on a hot day in Boston 1982, the two waged a furious battle for the entire 26.2 miles, Beardsley finishing a mere two seconds (2:08:51 vs. 2:08:53) behind Salazar.
But the high point had not yet arrived in Dick’s life, and that high point came as his lowest point. His leg nearly amputated in a farming accident, Dick underwent numerous operations, only to suffer additional accidents until surgeries and hospital stays became routine. In the process, he became hooked on prescription drugs, and began a downward spiral that ended with him being caught forging prescriptions. After a horrendous recovery, Dick gradually returned to running—and began speaking of his experiences. He quickly gained a reputation as one of the best motivational speakers on the circuit. Today he continues to speak and inspire and heads the Dick Beardsley Foundation.
