The Runners Reunion Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

On December 3, 1995, the US Cross Country Championships were held at fabled Franklin Park.  Reuben Reina was the heavy favorite to repeat his title from the year before.  His plan was simple - stay with the leaders, unleash his signature kick and win two in a row.  Local fan favorite Brad Schlapak and Boston’s own version of Quenton Cassidy had different ideas.  Franklin Park was his domain, having raced there more than 30 times running for Narragansett Regional High School and Northeastern University.  Join us on Brad’s journey to that day in Franklin Park from his youthful aspirations to become the next “Rocky” to elite runner and master craftsman in restoring antique clocks.  

Brad Featured in the New York Times

Steeple Chase Clock

As we prepare for season four of the Runners Reunion Podcast, we thought it would be a good time to reflect on the first three seasons and the many interesting and inspiring guests that have been gracious enough to share their stories.  The Running Boom of the 70’s and 80’ was much more than a fad.  During that time, we experienced the democratization of running with women and men of all ages getting involved in the sport.  Fueled by the advent of title nine, many of our guests were breaking barriers and setting the stage for generations to come with the impressive showing at the Paris Olympics this past summer by the United States women’s and men’s teams.

There were also many iconic figures associated with the running boom including Steve Prefontaine, Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers.  While many of our guests may not be national household names, their stories and contributions to the sport are equally impressive and compelling.  Thank you for listening!  

Our last guest of the season is Gerry Beagan, one of the founders of the Runners Reunion event.  Gerry’s story is perhaps one of the best examples of how the running boom of the 70’s impacted the lives of the 25 million Americans who fueled the growth of competitive road running.  By chance Gerry was at Fenway to watch the World Series bound 1975 Red Sox on Patriot’s Day and spilled out into the street to watch the finish of the marathon to see running’s common man Bill Rodgers float by in a homemade T-Shirt to win the race in an American Record.  The west wind that day also swept Gerry right into the thick of the Running Boom.  

Running from that point on became his passion that inspired him to complete more than 100 marathons, countless ultra marathons, organize many of the area’s iconic road races, coaching local runners to PRs  and publish a magazine and book on New England Road Races.  Like many of us Gerry was always a fixture at post race social events providing sage advice on almost any topic that many of us appreciate to this day. 

Our guest this week is Olympian and Team New Balance Boston Coach Mark Coogan.  Mark’s running resume is impressive with range from the mile through the marathon and every distance event between.  Mark’s pro career included training with coach Bob Sevene and support from training groups in Providence and Boulder that included some of the best runners of the era.  Mark used these experiences to develop into one of the most successful coaches in the country.  You can now read more about his coaching philosophy in his new book Personal Best Running: Coach Coogan’s Strategies for the Mile to the Marathon  Of course we recommend listening to the podcast first!

As a Newton, MA native Bob Fitzgerald was no stranger to the Boston Marathon.  Each year his parents would take him to watch the race on the famed HeartBreak Hill.  It wasn’t until he graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in English and focus on journalism that he started running to lose “beer weight”.  The former defensive lineman from Newton North quickly caught the running bug and fit right in with the running boom, easily transitioning into the social scene with the cast of characters of the era.  The “beer weight” came off and Bob clocked some impressive PRs including a 2:40 marathon and 14:33 three mile.  It was Bob’s penchant for journalism and love for the sport that ultimately led him along with his wife Michelle LeBrun to acquire the New England Runner in 1998.  Listen in to this week’s episode as Bob recounts the early days of the running boom and the stories that make up the sport’s evolution throughout the years.  https://www.nerunner.com/ 

When Julie Peterson-Menosky was in grade school at St. Mary’s Catholic, girls did not have gym class, were limited to only a ¼ of the playground and allowed only to skip during recess (no running)!  Fortunately times were changing quickly with the advent of Title Nine and the emergence of the running boom.  Despite some notable success in high school Julie went off to UMass Amherst without ever visiting the campus, never mind a recruiting trip and a sleepover with the team.  Fortunately the stars aligned at UMass when she decided to try out for the Track and X-Country team that included some notable coaches including Peter Pfitzinger.  Under the guidance of Pete the UMass team won the New England XC championship with a team of walk ons. After graduating from college in the early 80’s Julie met Dan Peterson who became the driving force behind Julie qualifying for an impressive five consecutive Olympic Marathon trials.  We hope you enjoy listening to her inspirational journey as one of the region’s top marathoners for more than two decades.

Fewer than 115 men can call themselves Boston Marathon champion. Even fewer boast a 50 year connection to the race:  athlete; elite athlete talent manager; coach; and catalyzing force linking the marathon to fundraising efforts to make the world a better place. Add a dash of decades of collegiate sports psychology instruction and buckle up for a wide ranging conversation with the always interesting, always erudite  Jack Fultz. Ranging far from his Pennsylvania roots, road racing took hold first over the traditional collegiate career during the height of Viet Nam. It ultimately led him to toe the line in 100 degree heat, in Hopkinton, in April 1976 The rest is history.

Our guest this week is four time Olympic Trials qualifier and coach Greg Lautenslager.  After a 20 year award winning career coaching in New Zealand Greg is back home in his native state of Texas coaching at Hill College.  As many of you know Boston was one of Greg’s stops during his 12 year quest to make the Olympic Team.  As with many of the runners in the 70’s and 80’s Boston holds a special place in Greg’s heart for the many friendships he developed during his time running for Nike Boston.  This past December Greg was able to attend the annual gathering of Newton and Wellesley area runners at the Cherry Tree in West Newton.  Much to his surprise his 20 year hiatus from the Boston scene did not skip a beat as he reconnected with old friends like it was yesterday.  Listen in as we continue to catch up with Greg about his experiences in Boston, New Zealand and the many other stops along his passionate journey in running and coaching.

This week’s guest is Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Julie Collins.  Julie’s first experience with competitive track and cross country growing up in Smithfield, RI was in middle school in one of the first organized programs in the state for middle school girls in the 1970’s. She also ran with the Ocean State Track Club all women’s team organized by legendary coach John Hird before attending Providence College.  After a successful career at PC Julie turned to coaching in her mid 20’s as a way to break up the day while caring for her young family.  With the support of several key mentors, Julie coached countless young men and women to athletic and academic success.  We hope you enjoy listening to her story of her passion for coaching and helping young adults navigate their way through high school.  Exceptional coaches at the high school level are hard to find.  If you were coached by Julie, or were a parent of one of her athletes, consider yourself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the state of Massachusetts.

This week’s episode features Rhode Island’s own version of the “Chairman of the Boards” and Northeastern standout Tom Mortimer.  Tom’s first exposure to track was a visit to the famed Cranston Street Armory to watch his brother Frank compete for Pilgrim High School.  When he entered through the heavy wooden doors to the Gothic Medieval structure the unmistakable scent of Atomic Balm dominated the track that was housed in the main hall.  The experience of that first meet where spectators and teammates were right on the edge of the poorly marked lanes screaming cheers for the competitors was like nothing he had experienced before.  The deafening noise and the poorly lit venue created a sense of speed and adrenaline that was contagious.  Tom was hooked and knew that is what he wanted to do.