FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 22, 2017
CONTACT: Jess Cover jess@runvermont.org, 802.863.8412
RunVermont Announces 2017 Hall of Fame Inductees
Burlington, Vermont (May 22, 2017) – RunVermont is pleased to announce the 2017 inductees into the RunVermont Hall of Fame. The 2017 honorees represent the rich depth and history of Vermont’s vibrant running community. All of the individuals have devoted years of service to the sport of running and have been active participants with a large breadth of engagements.
The RunVermont Hall of Fame now honors recipients in several categories:
Charter Members – the original members from the Vermont City Marathon Hall of Fame who received recognition for participation is every edition of the race from its inception in 1989 until 1998.
Runners of Distinction – those individuals, with a sustained running presence in Vermont, whose running achievements and results place them in a performance category that separates them from their peers and contemporaries.
Coaches – those individuals who have made sustained and recognizable contributions to the development of Vermont’s running communities, events and runners that distinguishes them from their peers and contemporaries.
Advocates – those individuals who have made significant contributions to the Vermont running community to develop opportunities for runners, supported and/or produced running events and been instrumental in the development of the sport as a whole.
The 2017 RunVermont Hall of Fame Inductees are:
John Dimick - RunVermont is proud to induct accomplished runner and coach John Dimick into the 2017 RunVermont Hall of Fame.
John Dimick etched his mark in Vermont’s running legacy long ago, but his exploits still set the standard for road racing today. After a stellar career at the University of Vermont, a career that was recognized with his induction into the UVM Athletic Hall of Fame in 1984, John would go on to become known at the fastest marathoner Vermont has ever produced. His first-place finish in the 1979 Mardi Gras Marathon was accomplished in an incredible 2:11:53; the 9th fastest marathon recorded in the U.S. and the 18th best in the world that year. No Vermonter has come close to repeating that feat. John qualified for three U.S Olympic Trials in the marathon (1976, 1980 and 1984). John also excelled internationally, as well, by placing 2nd at the Copenhagen Marathon in 1981 and 4th at the Berlin Marathon.
"John Dimick was a tough competitor at every distance, but no one in Vermont was close to him in the marathon. He consistently ran 2:15 marathons, a goal I chased unsuccessfully for over a decade. His personal best of 2:11:53, his top finishes at international marathons, and his consistent 2:15’s secure his place as Vermont’s top marathoner." said Jim Miller - 2016 RunVermont Hall of Fame Inductee.
In addition to his running exploits, John went on to having a distinguished coaching career at Brattleboro Union High School where he would oversee the cross country running, Nordic skiing and track and field programs throughout the better part of his 37 years of teaching at the school.
It would not be an understatement that John’s running successes inspired several generations of Vermont runners and kicked off a running boom in the State during the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. John’s accomplishments firmly put Vermont on the running map.
Eric Morse - RunVermont is proud to induct accomplished runner Eric Morse into the 2017 RunVermont Hall of Fame.
For the better part of three decades, Eric Morse was the most dominant road runner in Vermont. His career began in at Harwood Union High School in Duxbury where he was a 6-time individual state champion in both cross country and track. He would also win All-American honors in the 1500 meters. Eric’s high school accomplishments would later be recognized when he was the inaugural inductee into the Harwood Union H.S. Hall of Fame in 2010.
Once out of high school and college, Eric would become known regionally and nationally. He was the USATF New England Grand Prix Champion in addition to winning numerous USATFNE individual races. He was also a 7-time member of the U.S.A. Mountain Running Team and competed in five World Mountain Running Championships. More locally, Eric was a 3-time runner-up at the prestigious Mount Washington Road Race and was a 14-time top ten finisher. His exploits would lead him to becoming a 2015 inductee into the Mt. Washington Road Race Hall of Fame.
" I witnessed Erik’s steady improvement throughout the 1980s, due to his talent, hard work, and encouragement from his mom - who was at every race. After races in the early and mid-80s his mom would tell me “Eric’s going to get you Miller”. And by the late-80s he did, and I haven’t beaten him since." Said Jim Miller - 2016 RunVermont Hall of Fame Inductee.
Whenever Eric entered a local race, the only question was who would finish in second behind him. His performances were often emulated, but never duplicated; he was that dominant. Eric set a high standard for all Vermont runners to follow.
The formal induction ceremonies will be conducted at a reception on Friday, May 26th, 2017 at 6pm at the Sheraton Hotel & Conference Center as a part of the weekend festivities of the 2017 People’s United Bank Vermont City Marathon and Relay.
RunVermont is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to the promotion of running as a life-long activity through complementary programs that celebrate the athletic spirit, are recognized nationally, and embrace the Vermont community. In addition to its premier Memorial Day weekend events; Peoples United Bank Vermont City Marathon and the MVP Health Ready, Set, Run Festival. RunVermont presents the FirstRun Burlington 5k each January, Half Marathon Unplugged in April, Island Vines 10k in September, Ready, Set, Run spring and summer youth running programs as well as consulting, timing and race services support for other Vermont running events.
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