If we look at marathon times he might not be the faster marathoner
(best Marathon time 3:23 in 1985 in Chicago…still super-fast for me! but not close to any world record) but when you read all his accomplishments
there are no doubt that he has earned his nickname!
Jerry Dunn was born in 1946 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He started running when he was 29 years old
and these are some of his accomplishments:
In 2006 to celebrate his 60th birthday, Jerry ran 60 miles
on a 1/8 mile indoor track at Black Hills State University. This effort raised
over $1000 for a climbing wall at the local middle school. 480 circuits in 14
hours and 42 minutes. Last year to celebrate his 65 years he used the same
track but he completed 11 hours or 44
miles on it and then moved outside. It was 28 degree temps, overcast sky and little or no
wind. His goal was to make it to the
Crow Peak Brewery by 6PM for the beginning of his self-hosted party. He arrived at 5:42 having
walked the entire 21 remaining miles. Still took him less than 17 hours to complete it at age
65!
In 2000 he ran a record 200 Marathon distances in 1 calendar
year. Yeah…this is still an unofficial
world record!!! He actually did 21 "official",
marathons. In addition, he would run the course perhaps a dozen times before
the actual race. He would arrive in town early and use the course
for his daily run. Then come race day and run the official event.
In 1999 he ran Los Angeles Marathon course on 14 consecutive
days
In 1998 he ran 29 consecutive days on the NYC Marathon
course……first 28 days on the original marathon course in Central Park and the
29 day was the actual marathon race. Also in the same year he ran Los Angeles Marathon 13 consecutive days
In 1997 he ran the 13.1 mile course of the
Indianapolis 500 Festival on 13 consecutive days. The same year he ran the Megan’s
24 Hour Track Run . . . Jerry ran 74 miles in 16 hours. He then took a five
hour nap in a tent in the infield. Went start line of Portland Marathon on
Sunday morning and completed the event in 5:31:23, thus accomplishing his goal
of 100 miles in less than 30 hours elapsed time.
In 1996 as a way of
celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Boston Marathon, he began running the entire course on March 21st
and ran it every day for 26 consecutive days. The 26th day coincided with the official 100th
running of the Boston Marathon.
Also in the same year he successfully completed 104
marathons in a single calendar year, at that time a world record.
In 1991 he ran Shore to Shore in 104 days. Transcontinental
run, logistically organized and executed a solo run from San Francisco to
Washington, DC in 104 days, raising awareness and funds for the working poor. Began running in San Francisco with the goal
of running to Washington DC. The total mileage was 2707, of which he ran 1900
and cycled the rest.
Oh and he got married during the World Disney Marathon at
mile 9 J
He is the founder and race director of The Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon, Black Hills 100 Ultra Marathon, Lean Horse
Hundred and the Run Crazy Horse 13.1 / 26.2 races but he has never been able to run them on race day
as he is always working and cheering for the runners.
This year for first time he is running all the races in a
single year at age 65/66…..he said it is his way to prepare for retirement J …..I am really happy
that I will have the honor to run with him in my first 100!!!! Poor guy….he will have a stalker following
him J
Don’t limit your challenges … Challenge your limits, and
have fun doing it. – Jerry Dunn
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