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Staying the Course: A Runner's Toughest Race Hardcover – January 1, 2002

4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

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The controversial career of marathon runner Dick Beardsley is featured in this look inside the head of a distance runner as it describes his difficult life, what life is like as a celebrated athlete, and many struggles to overcome obtacles ranging from anear-fatal farm accident to recovery from an addiction to painkillers.
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Univ of Minnesota Pr (January 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 203 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 081663758X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0816637584
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.05 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 33 ratings

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4.7 out of 5 stars
33 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2020
    I met Dick Beardsley a few months ago at the Gate River Run national 15K championship in Jacksonville. He was signing posters at a running club booth. Although I've been running for 45 years, I'd never heard of Dick. Anyway, he's a really nice guy and he was kind enough to sign a poster for me. Under his name he wrote "2:08:53 Boston '82." Having run a few marathons, I immediately recognized his time as putting him in the elite category. Wanting to know more about Dick, I Googled him. I learned the poster depicted Dick's epic duel with Alberto Salazar in the 1982 Boston Marathon. Dick, a relatively unknown, lead most of the latter part of the race and was barely out sprinted by then number one ranked Salazar at the very end. An entire chapter of the book is devoted to Dick's perspective of the race, and it is riveting. What I really like about the book is it chronicles Dick's humble beginnings as an unremarkable high school cross country runner through his arrival as an elite marathoner based both on the encouragement of his high school coach who told him could be as great as he wanted to be, and good, old-fashioned hard work in the form of 125+ mile/ week training. Before setting the course and American record at the 1982 Boston Marathon, Dick's work ethic and sheer joy of running established him as the only person to have ever run 13 consecutive personal bests in the marathon, a Guinness Book of World Records accomplishment that stands to this day. And perhaps most remarkably, despite numerous injuries, a bad back and knee replacements, Dick ran the Gate River Run this year for fun at age 63 with a very respectable time, not that he has anything to prove after his remarkable career as an elite runner. Dick now runs a bed and breakfast and a fishing guide service on Lake Bemidji in Minnesota. How fun would it be to sit around the Inn or be on a boat with Dick to talk about his running exploits first hand?!
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2016
    Our local (Minnesota) news station did a story on Dick Beardsley and since I have a son that runs cross-country races I thought I would get this book for him. My son does enjoy reading, but was a little reluctant to read another "running" book; fortunately he figured he'd start reading it a little bit. Turns out he couldn't put it down and read the entire book in one day.
    It's not just about running, it's a great book for anyone about overcoming obstacles.
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2009
    I met Dick at the Fargo Marathon Expo a couple of weeks ago. At the time I didn't really know who he was except for a famous marathoner who's running career was way before my time. After the Marathon I came home and looked him up and within minutes, I ordered this book. When it came I sat down and read it in one sitting. It kept me on the edge of my seat for every page! What an amazing athlete and an even greater person! This is an amazing story that every runner (or any athlete for that matter) should read. After his numerous horrific accidents, endless injuries, and countless surgeries this man still chooses to do what he loves: run. It is truly an inspiring story. I wish I would have read this before I met Dick but I look forward to seeing him again and having my copy signed at The Dick Beardsley Half Marathon this Fall.
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2013
    I had the wonderful opportunity to actually meet Dick Beardsley in person at a race in Springfield, Mo. and hear him talk and was so fascinated and entertained by his enthusiasm and accomplishments, I couldn't wait to read more about him. I throughly enjoyed the book and appreciate being able to get the copy through Amazon.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 19, 2017
    An interesting read for runners, especially those who remember the "duel in the sun" at the 1982 Boston Marathon, and for people dealing with addiction.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 28, 2024
    This is a fantastic story about a world-class runner who achieved great success and also tackled some incredible life obstacles. He conquered setbacks with character, discipline and hard work. It wasn't easy. His story comes from the heart, mind and body of someone who has been there in the depths of trauma and emerged victorious. It's been a privilege to have met Dick several times and be inspired by his story, as well as his humble demeanor. Truly a class act. Get the book or listen to him speak; his story resonates and makes us reflect on our own journeys in life.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2013
    Wonderful story told in a humble and motivating way! He overcame many challenges - leaves the reader thinking..."and all I have to do is to get off the couch".
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2006
    Very well written book! It shows the high and low of Dick Beardsley's running career and life. It is a very quick read, with no slow sections. It might be the best book about running that I have read.

Top reviews from other countries

  • craig mcburney
    5.0 out of 5 stars Compulsive Read! Page Turner.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 14, 2014
    Dick Beardsley is probably only known in the UK for his London Marathon win. However there is such a lot more to this man and the book. A super talented and determined runner, but hugely flawed both as a man and a runner. A very selfish man (Which is probably what you need to be in order to be a world class athlete), but this spectacularly backfires later in life. His recall of the "Race in the sun" at Boston in 82 against Salazar is brilliant you feel like you are there. So much so that I had to go on YouTube and watch it straight after reading that chapter.
    Record breaking runs, loyalty, family, an unbelievable capacity to train and race marathons,drug addiction and unbelievable bad luck with farm and motor accidents. This book has it all, but most of all Dickie comes across as a genuine likeable human being who always made time for everyone. I loved this book I read it over 3 days. If you have any interest at all in running this is the book that you must read this year. Craig McB