World-class marathoner to offer tips on going the distance

A world-class marathoner who still holds the fourth fastest U.S. men's marathon time will speak to local runners at 7 p.m. today at Runner's High 'n Tri, in downtown Arlington Heights.

Dick Beardsley will meet with athletes for the store's weekly "Fun Run," held at 6 p.m. every Tuesday, before he delivers a motivational talk aimed at challenging runners to finish the race, no matter what the obstacles.

On Wednesday morning, Beardsley will deliver the same message, which he calls "Staying the Course," to students at John Hersey High School in Arlington Heights.

"His talk is inspirational," says Mark Rouse, co-owner of the store. "He demonstrates just how much can be endured, no matter how long and how arduous the race -- and the value of what is learned along the way."

The timing of Beardsley's talk coincides in part to motivate runners training for the Boston Marathon, for which he is most well known.

Nearly 26 years ago in the 1982 Boston Marathon, he ran to a second-place finish, or so-called "Duel in the Sun" with winner Alberto Salazar.

During the evening, Beardsley will talk about that marathon as well as how he qualified for the Olympic trials twice, in 1981 and 1988, and had a streak of 46 personal record times over the course of nearly two years and 13 marathons.

But he also will talk about some of his own life experiences.

Beardsley suffered the first of a series of near fatal accidents on his farm in 1989 that sent him spiraling into an addiction to painkillers. He has since overcome his addiction and has returned to running.

It is his story of recovery and self-discovery that Rouse expects will resonate with listeners, whether they are serious marathoners, triathletes or recreational runners.

"It's quite a story, and very motivational to hear," Rouse says. "What makes it even better is that he's a farmer in Minnesota, so he brings this 'aw, shucks' kind of demeanor that you immediately like."

Runner's High 'n Tri is a specialty running and triathlon store at 121 W. Campbell St. The store regularly serves as a pickup site for race packets, as well as sponsoring its weekly runs and occasional featured speakers.

Beardsley's message of "staying the course," fits in the store's mission, contained in its online tag line, which reads: "It's all about you, finishing the race."