Dick Collins doesn't have a wikipedia page, that makes his legend even more mysterious, spreading in our local community by words of mouth. And with his name attached to a few local traditions, like Dick Collins Firetrails 50-mile. To the new comers, that may just be a name. (Photo from Jane Byng, in the April 1997 edition of Ultra Running Magazine)
From a running standpoint, UltraSignup has 121 races for Dick. Only 1 trophy with a 3rd place at the 1990 6-day race at Gibson Ranch (the place where Jed Smith was still held when I got into ultra running in 2006). From what I heard, Dick was all about encouraging others, not fighting for the podium or recognitions. He still managed to finish Western States 10 times between 1979 and 1991, including two silver buckles (under 24-hour) at 48 and 51. Now, reading a few tributes after he passed away at 63, I'm astonished to see that Dick ran more than 1,000 races, in a span of about 22 years! There you are for some impressive running fame and statement.
Since I never met Dick, best for me is to use words from people who ran with him.
A few days ago for instance, Mike (Palmer) posted this a couple of weeks ago on Facebook, along that picture.
If you know, you know. Dick didn't have the oversized ego that many in the sport of ultrarunning have. He cared about the participants in the races he directed and he didn't put on races to make a profit or to draw attention to himself.He was always encouraging. Even during a race when things were going south for him he'd provide encouragement for other runners.I miss him.
What an ultra epitaph! And such a great and timely reminder about humility...
Then read what Ann Trason has to say about her debuts in trail and ultra running, in Adam's Born in the Bay Instagram series.
After Dick Collins passed his spirit was still everywhere in the hills, the wind, the rhythm of the trails. I had absorbed his wisdom like a sponge, without even realizing it at the time. I was so lucky, so grateful. Dick taught me that running long isn't about conquering miles; it's about listening - to the trail, to the weather, to yourself. His spirit still lives out there in the East Bay, woven into every climb and turn.If you run on Dick's trails and open yourself to it, you'll feel him too - steady, strong, reminding you to see the good, to embrace what the day gives, and to keep moving forward.
When you hear a legend and elite runner paying tribute to Dick, this way, you can get a glimpse of the size of Dick's legend. And lasting impact. (Speaking of Ann, very special thought as she has so much trouble even walking, but is still aiming at covering 100 miles with her walker and has already reached 104 km after 3 of 6 days at Across the Years. What an inspiration, that tenacity and buckle fever!)
And what about another monument of our community, Tropical John Medinger, calling Dick a giant in this tribute in UltraRunning Magazine, his words followed by as many praises from other legends, Norm and Helen Klein. 4 must-read pages and pure ultra history gems (use the right arrow in the middle of the page to turn pages and keep reading; you might need an active subscription to access though).
In many ways, Dick invented the community spirit of our ultra running community, at least in the Bay Area and North California.
Nowadays, our model for giving back is a living legend of modesty and dedication, Stan Jensen. And Stan likes to remind us that he learned from nobody else than Dick. As a true ultra runner, Stan started giving back while still running races. At aid stations, through the management of his resourceful run100s.com website, 25 years at the Marine Mammal Center in the Marin Headlands, giving blood for decades, ... Since he ran along Dick, he has given back many more hours than he spent running races himself. An inspirational model. And living legend!
As I mentioned in my little blurb that evening of December in Berkeley, the word legend brings back memories of my experience at Spartathlon. Between Pheidippides' story which is already quite blurry after centuries --to a few locals, he would have been the Athenian messenger going to Sparta to ask for help before the battle of Marathon, then back to Athens, that is 12 marathons in about 4 days, without dying, while it would have been another messenger passing out after the battle, running from Marathon to Athens-- and the Greek mythology, you run everywhere there in the shadow of many legends.
And that's kind of the image forming in my head, thanks Nano Banana for putting it into pixel. Dick didn't have any reference or model, he was just doing what felt right to him. A few got inspired by his commitment and became legends for the next generation. As numbers now multiply in an exponentially growing sport, and overwhelming age of that so-called social media, it's less about standing out, more about replicating these legends' principles and discipline, to keep their spirit and best practices alive.
To Mike's point about Dick's lack of ego, and Stan's modesty, I should stop here... Shoot, when I was going to start a short account of that nice evening celebration put by Adam's Scena. And so, for record sake, since my two-decade blog was mentioned as having some value to our ultra and trail community, documenting many races, events and running places.
It was the 10th edition of that award celebration, another cool tradition in our community. Per my earlier point, there isn't someone new at Dick or Stan's level of generosity and commitment, every year, but the idea is to highlight and recognize good will in their honor.
Over time, Adam and his award team have come up with three categories.
- The Carol LaPlant award, aka The GOAT (Greater Of All Time), recognizing an individual who created a running legacy and was part of the birth of ultra running in the Bay Area.
- The Christine Chapon award, aka The Frenchie, to highlight a rising star in our trail and ultra running community.
- The Stan Jensen award, aka The Legend, to recognize a long history of running and service.
This year, and actually 1st year since the award was awarded to Carol last year, the GOAT went to Charles Savage. A few weeks later, we could still be listening to Charles' stories and ultra anecdotes, around the fire pit, someone had to politely take the mic back... With 20 Western States finishes for instance, or 19 Skyline 50Ks, he surely has a wealth of tips in his pocket to share! (All pictures below from Pen Perez.)
The Frenchie rising star actually went to the leaders of an organization this year: Zagdaa Baatar and Tuvshin Surbaatar, from the Nomadic Adventure Club. With a tribute to a Mongolian heritage and spirit, that organization encourages participants to get healthier on local trails. And they also give a hand by volunteering at many of our trail races in particular.
Then, in that shadow of true legends, I received the Legend award from Stan Jensen himself. I still feel ashamed of receiving way more than I give back to this community, running more events than I volunteer at in particular. Adam and Stan pointed to the work I've been doing for keeping our 30+ year-old USATF Pacific Association MUT (Mountain, Ultra, Trail running) Grand Prix tradition alive, these past 10 years, as well as these quarter century of active trail and ultra running, and almost 2 decades of blog journaling.
Special thanks to Pen (Perez) for contributing her photography talent, passion and expertise to capturing shots of that special celebration (Facebook post). To Scena for the idea and execution of this recognition program. To those who contributed to the potluck. And Sports Basement for offering their community room to host us.
You can see previous awardees on Scena's Hall of Fame/Legends page. All legends in their own right, in the shade, and light, of other legends, all creating a supportive network of good will and spirits. Cheering to the upcoming ones then, long live this tradition and this growing web of legends of all sizes, all are encouraged to join and contribute!
