Upload a Photo Upload a Video Add a News article Write a Blog Add a Comment
Blog Feed News Feed Video Feed All Feeds

Folders

 

 

Jan. 2009 Monster Runner – Henry Dizney

Published by
Shane   Jan 2nd 2009, 1:00am
Comments

The Monster Runner Award

The Monster Runner Award is designed to celebrate the runners in our community who excel in race finishes, overcome personal challenges, run personal bests, contribute to a better life for those around them, and go far beyond their comfort zone to find something special within.


1979 OTC Nike MarathonHenry Dizney

Chances are, if you’ve been around the Eugene area for a while, you’ve seen this month’s Monster Runner, Henry Dizney, showing you how it’s done. From the time he moved here in 1967, to now, Henry has had an impact on many people’s lives – you’re either inspired watching him run, or he was one of your instructors at the U of O. As a professor at the university for 25 years, Henry taught Educational Psychology, helping mold the minds of many future teachers and coaches. Along the way, Henry was also running strong, becoming a runner in 1974, and never looking back.

 

Having been a football player and wrestler in high school, Henry credits the legendary Lawrence Prosser for getting him started on the running path at age 47. Since that point, Henry’s run 15 marathons, with the goal of running another someday. At age 82, Henry can still be seen at local events toeing the line and enjoying the experience of being in the pack. It’s the mid-packers, in fact that inspire Henry the most. He’s also quick to thank the entire running community who share their spirit out training and racing. Having lived through an era that witnessed the rise of athletic opportunities for all – especially, women’s inclusion in sporting competition, Henry’s quick to acknowledge how moved he’s been over the years, watching people achieve their dreams.

 

Henry was born in Tacoma, raised in St Louis, and was drawn back to the west because of the lifestyle here. Since becoming an Oregonian nearly a half-century, 4 children and 7 grand-children ago, Henry’s had a fondness for the health-minded nature and overall philosophy of the Northwest. Running-wise, it’s that philosophy that he appreciates the most – the spirit and camaraderie of the entire running community. This was in effect most recently, at the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, “First Run” 5K events, where Henry ran both (44:26 and 45:24, respectively), and the loudest applause at the awards presentations confirmed everyone’s admiration and appreciation of Henry’s efforts.

 

While Henry states that he’s just part of the pack, we know otherwise – Henry is one of those examples of what is possible when we have a goal and we put one foot in front of the other, or decide to make a difference in our community (he’s still helping dreams be realized through his volunteer work). And oh yeah, Henry’s got a favorite mantra from Satchel Page that helps keep him going, “Don’t look behind, the hungries might be catching up.” As evidenced by the photos of Henry; in the 1979 OTC Nike Marathon (on the left) and at the finish line of a recent race on the east coast (on the right), the hungries won’t be catching up any time soon.



More news

History for First Run 10K / 5K
YearResultsVideosNewsPhotosBlogs
2011 1   1    
2010 1   1    
2009 1   2    
Show 2 more
 
+PLUS highlights
+PLUS coverage
Live Events
Get +PLUS!