Sturak was one of the true characters of the sport. He knew everyone, and everyone knew him. I finally spent time with him in the mid 1990s, in Goteborg. I found out about his poor health in 2008 at the U.S. Olympic Trials, when I had coffee with his wife, Jacqueline Hanson. Tom had been in declining health for several years.
Tom was part of the SoCal Striders, one of the most influential clubs in our sport in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. His wife, Jacqueline Hanson, was the first women to break six minute pace for the marathon, and is a fine coach in her own right.
Jacqui put a note up on the Friends of Tom Sturak Facebook site on Friday, and noted that she is planning a memorial service on May 15 at the LA Foundation Library. More details on the site.
Please keep Tom, his wife Jacqueline, his daughter and son in your thoughts and prayers. Tom will be missed.
Bill “MadDog” Scoobey & Tom Sturak, early 90s….
Tom Sturak, early in his running career….
Tom Sturak, road race in the 80s….like all of us, remember him running, remember him laughing, remember him giving you the business. That keeps us all alive…
Photos courtesy of the friends of Tom Sturak
