The Runners Reunion Podcast

This week’s episode New England Runner Co-Publisher and Editor Bob Fitzgerald

As a Newton, MA native Bob Fitzgerald was no stranger to the Boston Marathon.  Each year his parents would take him to watch the race on the famed HeartBreak Hill.  It wasn’t until he graduated from UMass Amherst with a degree in English and focus on journalism that he started running to lose “beer weight”.  The former defensive lineman from Newton North quickly caught the running bug and fit right in with the running boom, easily transitioning into the social scene with the cast of characters of the era.  The “beer weight” came off and Bob clocked some impressive PRs including a 2:40 marathon and 14:33 three mile.  It was Bob’s penchant for journalism and love for the sport that ultimately led him along with his wife Michelle LeBrun to acquire the New England Runner in 1998.  Listen in to this week’s episode as Bob recounts the early days of the running boom and the stories that make up the sport’s evolution throughout the years.  https://www.nerunner.com/ 

This week’s episode features five time Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier Julie Peterson-Menosky

When Julie Peterson-Menosky was in grade school at St. Mary’s Catholic, girls did not have gym class, were limited to only a ¼ of the playground and allowed only to skip during recess (no running)!  Fortunately times were changing quickly with the advent of Title Nine and the emergence of the running boom.  Despite some notable success in high school Julie went off to UMass Amherst without ever visiting the campus, never mind a recruiting trip and a sleepover with the team.  Fortunately the stars aligned at UMass when she decided to try out for the Track and X-Country team that included some notable coaches including Peter Pfitzinger.  Under the guidance of Pete the UMass team won the New England XC championship with a team of walk ons. After graduating from college in the early 80’s Julie met Dan Peterson who became the driving force behind Julie qualifying for an impressive five consecutive Olympic Marathon trials.  We hope you enjoy listening to her inspirational journey as one of the region’s top marathoners for more than two decades.

This week’s episode features Boston Marathon legend and three times Olympic Trials qualifier Jack Fultz

Fewer than 115 men can call themselves Boston Marathon champion. Even fewer boast a 50 year connection to the race:  athlete; elite athlete talent manager; coach; and catalyzing force linking the marathon to fundraising efforts to make the world a better place. Add a dash of decades of collegiate sports psychology instruction and buckle up for a wide ranging conversation with the always interesting, always erudite  Jack Fultz. Ranging far from his Pennsylvania roots, road racing took hold first over the traditional collegiate career during the height of Viet Nam. It ultimately led him to toe the line in 100 degree heat, in Hopkinton, in April 1976 The rest is history.

Following The Flame with Greg Lautenslager

Our guest this week is four time Olympic Trials qualifier and coach Greg Lautenslager.  After a 20 year award winning career coaching in New Zealand Greg is back home in his native state of Texas coaching at Hill College.  As many of you know Boston was one of Greg’s stops during his 12 year quest to make the Olympic Team.  As with many of the runners in the 70’s and 80’s Boston holds a special place in Greg’s heart for the many friendships he developed during his time running for Nike Boston.  This past December Greg was able to attend the annual gathering of Newton and Wellesley area runners at the Cherry Tree in West Newton.  Much to his surprise his 20 year hiatus from the Boston scene did not skip a beat as he reconnected with old friends like it was yesterday.  Listen in as we continue to catch up with Greg about his experiences in Boston, New Zealand and the many other stops along his passionate journey in running and coaching.

This week’s guest is Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Julie Collins.

This week’s guest is Massachusetts State Track Coaches Association Hall of Fame Coach Julie Collins.  Julie’s first experience with competitive track and cross country growing up in Smithfield, RI was in middle school in one of the first organized programs in the state for middle school girls in the 1970’s. She also ran with the Ocean State Track Club all women’s team organized by legendary coach John Hird before attending Providence College.  After a successful career at PC Julie turned to coaching in her mid 20’s as a way to break up the day while caring for her young family.  With the support of several key mentors, Julie coached countless young men and women to athletic and academic success.  We hope you enjoy listening to her story of her passion for coaching and helping young adults navigate their way through high school.  Exceptional coaches at the high school level are hard to find.  If you were coached by Julie, or were a parent of one of her athletes, consider yourself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with one of the best coaches in the state of Massachusetts.

This week’s episode features Rhode Island’s own version of the “Chairman of the Boards” and Northeastern standout Tom Mortimer.

This week’s episode features Rhode Island’s own version of the “Chairman of the Boards” and Northeastern standout Tom Mortimer.  Tom’s first exposure to track was a visit to the famed Cranston Street Armory to watch his brother Frank compete for Pilgrim High School.  When he entered through the heavy wooden doors to the Gothic Medieval structure the unmistakable scent of Atomic Balm dominated the track that was housed in the main hall.  The experience of that first meet where spectators and teammates were right on the edge of the poorly marked lanes screaming cheers for the competitors was like nothing he had experienced before.  The deafening noise and the poorly lit venue created a sense of speed and adrenaline that was contagious.  Tom was hooked and knew that is what he wanted to do. 

The Runners Reunion Podcast catches up with Fitchburg State and North Shore legend Paul McGovern

Our final episode for 2022 features Fitchburg State and North Shore legend Paul McGovern.  Growing up in Lynn, MA Paul’s endless energy was channeled through sports.  In his neighborhood baseball was king with several of the local youth of Paul’s generation eventually making it to the major leagues.  That career path changed when a college track coach saw something in this young man that eventually resulted in Paul becoming a pro baseball prospect and taking the lead halfway through the 1992 Olympic Marathon trials.  Paul shares a remarkable tale of patience, persistence, self awareness and mental fortitude that listeners, and mom's and dad's everywhere will want their kids to hear. Take a listen, and get ready for more in 2023.

This month’s episode features RI legend and NCAA All-American Hollie Walton

Our guest this week is Rhode Island running legend Hollie Walton.  As fate would have it Hollie just happened to be a freshman at Hope High School where Bobby Doyle and Ted McLaughlin were beginning their legendary careers.  Before the two began to influence his stellar career, Hollie somehow missed the running portion of the Presidential Physical Fitness Test and was about to flunk gym class his freshman year!  Fortunately the physical education teacher found him in the gym shooting baskets and convinced him to finish the test with a one mile run on the track.  With borrowed sneakers that were two sizes too big and dress pants, Hollie cruised through the mile in 4:50 and the rest is history.  We hope you enjoy this episode as Hollie recounts his epic career from Hope High School, Johnson & Wales, University of Texas El Paso and back to J&W as a club runner.

This week’s episode features RI Hall of Fame Coach Jim Doyle!

With over 67 state championships in cross country, indoor and outdoor track Jim Doyle is one of the most successful high school coaches in any sport in the United States.  In 2017 Jim was inducted into the Rhode Island Interscholastic League Hall of Fame and in 2018 was honored by the National High School Coaches Association as the National High School Boys’ Cross Country Coach of the Year!  In this week’s episode we discuss with Jim how he became involved in competitive running during the running boom of the 70’s,  his transition into coaching in the 80’s, and how he has become so successful coaching and mentoring countless young runners over the years.  
We hope to see you at one of the Bobby Doyle foundation events this summer.  There will be a wine and beer tasting event at The Guild Brewing Co. in Pawtucket, RI from 6-9 p.m. on June 24th and the annual Bobby Doyle Summer Classic 5 mile Road Race on August 14th.  https://www.bobbydoyleraces.org/ 

This week’s episode features two time US Olympic marathoner Cathy O’Brien as we discuss her running, music and more.

As a high energy 7th grader, Cathy O’Brien found herself on the Dover NH high cross-country team. Her coach predicted that Cathy would be “fantabulous” if she worked at her craft. Any running chronicle of the 80’s and 90’s shows she did. At 16 she ran the inaugural 1984 women’s Olympic marathon trials, and within months, closed out her high school career as a 5-time state cross-country, and Kinney national champion. Post high school adjustments followed, but Cathy was soon back on track, with refocused energy, validating earlier predictions by becoming a 1988 US Olympic marathoner at 20.  Her career ascended, highlighted by a world record for 10-miles, a second Olympic marathon berth in 1992, a 2:29 marathon PR in Los Angeles and a Mt. Washington Road race title.
Cathy talks with the Runner’s Reunion team about running in those simpler times, a period without the distraction and pressures of social media and message board opinions. We reflect on Title IX, classical music versus 80’s rock, honor, sportsmanship, and while on the glide path to motherhood, and her current career in musical education, the value of victories paid in lobsters versus cash.