by Jeff Benjamin
The 1983 NYC Maathon!
Rod Dixon and the author, Jeff Benjamin, KIDS Marathon
Let me tell you a secret. Rod Dixon is one of my heroes. One of my favorite athletes, Rod Dixon is also one of my fave humans. An early happy 70th to Rod Dixon. Thanks to Jeff Benjamin on the story!
Running Legend Rod Dixon Turning 70! A Photo/Video Salute Along With
7 Questions For The Upcoming New Zealand septuagenarian! Great!
By Jeff Benjamin
Rod Dixon May be turning 70 on July 13th, but don’t tell his mind or heart that!
One of the world’s most versatile runners (3:33 1500/ 3:52 Mile/ 13:17 5K/ 1:02:12 1/2 Marathon/ 2:08:59 Marathon!) the 1972 Olympic 1500 Bronze Medalist, 2-time World XC Bronze Medalist and 1983 NYC Marathon Champion still has the passion of youth and strives to be as positively impactful today as he was when he toed the line against the greats of the past.
1) How did you get into running?
Rod Dixon, the young Nelson Harrier!
I Played soccer, rugby, hockey, basketball, cricket and although I loved them all I just didn’t
get me enough ‘action’!
I was fast at Elementary school, and I was the school 100 yards
champion. My school XC was so much fun with water, mud, fences,
creeks and rivers, hills – it was so much fun and I didn’t have to wait for
anyone.
I then Joined a running club, Nelson Amateur Athletic Harrier and Cycling Club in 1962 and I’m still a life member.
2) Describe your 1972 Olympic 1500 race
Rod Dixon, next to Pekka Vasala, 1972 Olympic gold medalist at 1,500m (Vasala went 1:46 over last 800m)
It was “Rodney in Wonderland”!
My goal as a young runner was to get into the semi final race and
suddenly I’m on the start line for the Final!
I ran the race of my life and It was the beginning of an incredible journey.
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The 1972 Olympic 1500 Final
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=LYFdlJqySJI
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3) What was the toughest race you ever competed in?
Rod Dixon, in 1973 WXC, Dublin (note Neil Cusack, who would win Boston Marathon in 1974)
The 1970 World XC Team trials- I was dehydrated and was absolutely
exhausted and running on pure instinct – I collapsed at the finish and was carried off to medical. I had no idea if I crossed the finish line.
Fortunately I did and was selected for the Team and went onto finish 10th at
the World Championships in 1971
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Rod Vs Bayi Vs Walker Vs Pre!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HcB3N6MwkRI
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4) Your Greatest disappointment and why?
The 1976 Montreal Olympic 5000m, (note Klaus Peter Hilldebrand diving to bronze, putting Rod Dixon in 4th, Kiwi Dick Quax was silver and Lasse Viren defended the 1972 title at 5000m)
The 1976 Olympic 5000m Final.
I was Ranked # 1 in the World in 1975.
I Was with the lead runners at 250m to go and then suddenly in 4th place on
the turn, I ran into lane 2 to get round everyone and didn’t have the sprint
to get through. The 3rd place Runner dove across the line to snatch 3rd and I finished 4th.
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The 1976 Olympic 5000
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QB5DxltIkTI&t=543s
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5) Your Greatest Race and why?
Rod Dixon with the late, great Fred Lebow, just after winning the 1983 NYC Marathon…
The 1983 New York City Marathon!
Finally, I got everything absolutely right – Training, Racing, Fitness, Speed, Hills, Time Trials, Agility and Strength.
Before the race I Ran a 3.58.7 solo time trial And I was ready to run the race of my life.
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The 1983 NYC Marathon
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=llfcZUyTJGA
6) How did the KIDS Marathon come about and how is it coming along these
days?
KIDS Marathon
I started the ‘in school’ Kids daily run-daily mile in 1990 at local schools
where I lived.
The kids all came to Leigh school to run their final mile of their 26.2.
I then developed the Kidsmarathon 26.2 for the City of Los Angeles Marathon in 2004.
The KiDSMARATHON foundation estimates 500,000 KiDS have finished their 26.2 program!
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2019 Middletown NY Rod Dixon KIDS Marathon
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=jI_1KygIi0s
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7) Age is sure a number but you are turning 70! – Any thoughts about your
life?
My daughters have bought me a Cube Stero Hybrid 160 HPC-SL E-MTB and I’m riding the mountains of Kaiteriteri Forest and Bike part everyday and every other day I run the bush trails and tracks and beach for 30-40 minutes. I also do yoga and Xtraining other odd days.
Rod Dixon and the KiDS Marathon
I want to get 5 million KiDS into saying they have run a Marathon during
their elementary school years.
