The Bill Rodgers Running Center

"New" items up on the BRRC website!

Bill Rodgers has his own line of tea for runners! Check it out!

Coffee with Larry, April 10, 2025, Grand Slam Track Discussed, Boston Billy Brand running teas introduced! - runblogrun This is Coffee with Larry for April 10, 2025. We spoke on the Grand Slam Track debut, and the launch of Boston Billy Blend, Bill Rodgers' new Tea for Runners!

Newington Library 5K Challenge Road Race
Sunday, May 18 at 9:00 a.m.
With Special Guest Marathon Champion, Bill Rodgers!

The Newington 5K Challenge Road Race is an annual fundraiser that is presented by the Library Board of Trustees. This is the 28th year of the race with all proceeds of the race benefiting the library and its future growth. The race is a popular community wide event that offers a fun filled morning of exercise, competition to spend with friends and family. Walkers are welcome! Strollers are allowed on the course.

Registration Type -
$30 - April through online registration closing
$35 - Race Packet Pickup/Race Day
$10 - Children (12 and under)
$10 Little Readers Sprint or fee is waived if parent/escort is registered for the race.

Online registration closes on
May 16, 2025

www.newingtonct.gov/2655/2025-Newington-Library-5K-Challenge-Road

Boston Marathon legends Bob Hall, Bill Rodgers named grand marshals for 2025 Boston Marathon legends Bill Rodgers and Bob Hall will serve as grand marshals for the 129th race, marking milestones in their storied running careers.

I don't just love to run - I love to read! I especially love to read about running. If you haven't checked it out yet, my website has a section dedicated to my Book Recommendations: https://www.billrodgersrunningcenter.com/billys-bookshelf-recommended-reading

There's only a few books in there now, so let me know what titles we should add to the Running Center's collection! Bill Rodgers Running Center

"Billy's Breakthrough" by Andrew Yelenak commemorates the final moments before my first Boston win in 1975, 50 years ago this April. 18" x 24" lithographs of this incredible work are available on my website, https://www.billrodgersrunningcenter.com/ . Produced in a limited run of 1,000.

Yelenak was an artist of official lithographs and posters for Boston Marathon, the NYC Marathon, and the Hartford Marathon between 1997 and 2003. His technique required drawing with color pencil over airbrushed dyes in layers. The image is packed with incredible detail, down to the very bricks on the firehouse and the symbols on the racing bib. Read about the creation of this piece here: http://www.runningpast.com/studio.htm

Open House: 22 Years of Business | Marx Running We are excited to have an event to celebrate 22 years of business in downtown Lowell. Top Boston Marathon finisher, and author, Bob Hodge will be in attendance signing his book: Tales of the Times, and there will be giveaways for socks, shoes, and other items!

Very sad news to share from the running world today; just learned of the passing of great Canadian Olympian and Boston Marathon Champion Jerome Drayton. I raced Jerome many times over the years. He raced for Canada in the Montreal Olympics and he was the 1975 and '76 Champion of the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan. He beat me at Boston in 1977 - and I didn't mind losing to him because I knew he was a clean runner and a great competitor. I admired his honesty and determination. I spoke with him just last month on his 80th birthday and we had a great conversation. Jerome had a hard life as a young person leaving Europe in the wake of WWII, but through terrific effort became a world champion. Truly one of the best in the world. I will remember him as a friend of the world sport and a great Champion for Canada. - Bill Rodgers

Here is his official Obituary:

"Jerome Dayton died unexpectedly on February 10th, 2025 in Toronto, Ontario. Loving son of Sonia Huziuk. Jerome led a successful career in long distance running that took him all the way to the Montreal 1976 Olympics. Drayton also is the last Canadian to have won the Boston Marathon in 1977. During his time as a runner, he won dozens of races won around the world and he held the Canadian Men’s Marathon record for forty-three years. In 1978, he was inducted into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame.

For those wishing to do so, memorial donations in Jerome’s honour can be made to the Canadian Olympic Foundation
https://olympic.ca/foundation/support-team-canada/

Leading the Way - 50 Years of Cross Country This past fall we celebrated 50 years of Girls Cross Country in the state of CT. We jump back in time to hear about the beginnings, while also celebrating al...