Marathon College
An Early Start to “Duel in the Sun” Anniversary
As the centerpiece of the 34th annual Kaiser Permanent Napa Valley Marathon’s annual marathon college on March 3 at the Napa Valley Marriott, an early 30th anniversary celebration of the famed 1982 Boston Marathon’s “Duel in the Sun” will be presented. The famous duel between then-world-record-holder Alberto Salazar and young upstart Dick Beardsley from mile 4 to the dramatic finish on Ring Road is considered by fans as the most gripping marathon battle in the history of the Boston Marathon.
To highlight the historic anniversary, Dick Beardsley and his then-coach, Bill Squires, will recreate that memorable day. Dick Beardsley is the course record holder at the Napa Valley Marathon and at Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota. Bill Squires is the fabled coach of the Greater Boston Track Club, where he coached Bill Rodgers, Greg Meyer, Bob Hodge, Beardsley, and at one point, a young Alberto Salazar, then known as The Rookie.
The 90-minute program will begin with a 15-minute video of the final miles of the 1982 Boston Marathon. The presentation will be moderated by Joe Henderson, running author and one-time editor of Runner’s World. In the wake of the Beardsley/Squires presentation, Runner’s World editor-at-large Amby Burfoot, winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon, will attempt to put the famous duel in perspective. A question-and-answer period will follow the formal presentation.
There is no charge for the session.
Saturday, March 3
Secrets of Running the Napa Valley Marathon Course
Review of the course begins with an update on CHP coverage of the race by one of the participating CHP officers. Insights into running the course by many-time finisher Mike Baumann, and other veterans of the course.
Nutrition Secrets to Maximum Running Performance
Mary Coordt, 4-time winner of Napa and 4-time U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials entrant, calls upon her long-running background as a nutritionist to give runners a unique insight into the food fuels that fire the engine of the marathon runner.
Keynote Presentation
“Duel in the Sun” 30 Years Later (90 minute presentation)
Joe Henderson, running author, editor, and coach, moderates this unique presentation of the famed 1982 Boston Marathon “Duel in the Sun.” Leads off with the final five minutes of the classic race between Dick “The Country Bumpkin” Beardsley and Alberto “The Rookie” Salazar. Dick Beardsley (Grandma’s and Napa course record-holder) and Coach Billy Squires (famed coach of the Greater Boston Track Club, including Bill Rodgers, Greg Myers, Bob Hodge, Alberto Salazar, etc.) recreate the famed race. Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston winner and Editor-at-Large of Runner’s World, sums up by putting that race into perspective.
Secrets of Running the Napa Valley Marathon Course
Hints and suggestions to maximizing your talents on the Napa course from folks like Steve Radigan, the only runner who’s run all 33 previous Napas; Dr. Janet Cain, age-group champion and many-time veteran of the Napa course; Tony Rossman, who has run the course 29 times, and more.
Napa Valley-themed gift baskets, containing everything from balloon rides to weekend stays at valley hotels, emceed by NVM board member Kirsten Niesar, for the benefit of the marathon’s Jenny Landrith Charity Fund.
Marriott Pasta Feed #1
With Joe Henderson, Mary Coordt, and Amby Burfoot.
Calistoga Pasta Feed
With Dick Beardsley, Calistoga Community Center, 1307 Washington St., contact Judy or Doug Cook: 707/942-2400.
Marriott Pasta Feed #2
With Coach Squires, John Keston, Roberta Gonzales, RRCA representatives, and more.
