please welcome...OrvilleAtkins..

[Administrator]

OrvilleAtkins Resume:

-won the Canadian 6 mile Championship in 1961 after placing third in the Canadian Olympic trials 10K in 1960, was second to Johnny Kelley in the 1961 Canadian Marathon Championship, won Hamilton's Around the Bay Race in 1961 and the First Chicago Windy City Marathon in 1962. Was 5th in the Boston Marathon in 1962. Finished 44 marathons over a period of 26 years. 5 wins and 3 second places.

[patti]

Welcome Abroad Orville!

I didn't know you ran 44 marathons...cool! :o

[OrvilleAtkins]

[quote]Originally posted by patti@Apr 14 2010, 01:12 AM
[b] Welcome Abroad Orville!

I didn't know you ran 44 marathons...cool!

[patti]

ORVILLE you lost your cool!? NNNNOOOOWAY...LOL! Our Orville! :rolleyes:

I can't imagine you upset and having a tizzy!

( I nevah had a tizzy's!) :blink:

So, ok, we are about what 15 years difference in running era's? I started in "76.

Both finished out of the mola. Now I could throw a tizzy over that one easy!

[OrvilleAtkins]

Patti,
Yes, we are 15 years apart as marathon runners. You would have made money but I was not nearly fast enough to make money. Running was my hobby and passion and still is.
I did not train year round until 1958. I was 22. In 1961, I placed in the top three in 5 Canadian track events so on Labour Day I tried the event I always wanted to run--The Marathon. It was advertised as the Canadian and North American Championships.
I was first Candian in 92 degrees of heat with high humidity. As you know Johnny Kelley, the younger, called the conditions that day brutal. John ran an unbelievable race winning by 30 minutes in 2:31. 47 started. 17 finished. I was lucky, the competition in the Canadian Marathon was soft until 1964 when 5 runners from Canada placed in the top 12 in Boston. I was not one of them. And then the running boom hit all over the continent. But it was still challenging and always great fun. I ran my last marathon (3:28:47) in 1987 at age 51.

[patti]

And where was you last marathon?
Ye, I've heard so many stories of the brutal day. Imagine 92 degrees....my goodness your blood was still thick like molasses. You're lucky you lived!


Did you know I thought of having a dual citizenship in '84?
Yeah, my mother was born there and didn't become a US citizen unitl I was 16.

I don't know for sure if I could have at the time because I nevah pursued the matter., but I did thihnk of it.

We could/would have been citizens together!!!LOL!

[OrvilleAtkins]

Patti,
So you are half anf half too! Great! I consider myself a full citizen of the North American Continent. In 1964 I considered myself a Canadian and applied to move to the United States. I was called in to the US Consulate and told that I had a claim to US Citizenship. The United States Consul swore me in and handed me a three month United States passport so I could go to the 1964 Olympics. They gave me back the $1,000. that I had submitted with my original application. I loaned it to one of the friends I was moving here with. At that time I was told that I was no longer a Canadian citizen since I had sworn allegance to another country. Years later a customs officer told me that the law had changed. I believe I am now a dual citizen.

That last marathon was on the very scenic but far too hilly Palos Verdes Course. The Sunday group ran it yearly. The course has been changed several times. I ran it in 67, 77, 78, 85, and 87. 1967 was the first one. It was run about ten weeks after that Yonkers cauldron. It was my tenth marathon. A young newcomer called Bob Deines and I were out in front. We stormed down the long series of switchbacks leading to the ocean and charged along the small rolling hills along the ocean. By 15 miles, I was really beginning to drift back. I was still in second place as we struggled up the very long rise about three miles from the end and I bagan to walk. We were in a very hot California sun. I tried to loosen up by throwing my arms to the side. My right arm met with Bob Carman's chest as he passed by. I sat down. I attempted to hitch hike. No one would pick me up I did not know I had only a couple of miles to go. I jog-walked to the finish. I finished in 3:12:10 and was awarded a 9th place medal. Deines won in something in the 2:40s (Bob Deines-- Boston 1968--6th in 2:30.13--1969--6th-2:22:49--1970 15th- 2:24:50 about 30 seconds ahead of Amby Burfoot.)
(Bob Carman, from Pittsburgh originally--He was a very fine runner. I think he was the US 15K Champion in 1959 + ran Boston 1960--7th in 2:29.06)

Patti, it is neat to learn that we are Citizens of the North American Continent together.

[wineturtle]

Sub 2;06 in Boston today and the lad is barely old enough to cross the street by himself .

[patti]

Good Afternoon Orville,

What was served for brunch today? How far did you walk/jog/stroll or rather how long?

Orville, did you ever, ever dream in your wildest of dreams, think that someday distance runners would be running the times they are running now?

[wineturtle]

Hi Orville,

Please keep the memories and your thoughts coming.

Patti you stayed home today?