Walt Stack

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Walt Stack (b. 1908 - d. 1995) was a hod carrier by trade and a dearly beloved icon of the San Francisco, California, running community by popular acclaim. In 1965, at age 57, Stack decided eight daily hours of hard labor ferrying sacks of cement for masons was not enough, so he set forth on traversing what eventually amounted to 62,000 miles as a runner. Walt was a lovable and industrious man - and the life of the party - whose magnetic personality and brilliant blue eyes belied his briny wit and a licentious spirit. Even in his 70s and 80s, Stack ran many more marathons and 50 mile ultramarathons than all but a few of his running peers.

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[edit] Start slow... and taper off

In 1966, before becoming the world's most famous senior-citizen distance runner, Stack and a couple of other runners hatched plans for San Francisco's first running club, which became known as the Dophin South End Running Club (DSE). In his role as club sage, Stack exhorted his flock to "Start slow... and taper off." The message conveyed both unimpeachable wisdom and a sense of enthusiasm for middle and back of the pack fun runners, and is emblazoned on all the club's jerseys.

At the DSE races, which have taken place nearly every weekend in and around San Francisco since the 1970s, Walt was usually the master of ceremonies and presenter of ribbons to the top finishers, and this meant no one ever knew quite what to expect.

[edit] I'm going to do this 'til I get planted

For 27 years, from 1966 until 1993, Stack persisted in covering a set training route. His highly visible training routine made him a San Francisco institution. "I'm going to do this 'til I get planted," Stack decreed. Starting on his bike, he would ride six hilly miles from his Potrero Hill home to Fisherman's Wharf. Once there, he'd strip off his shirt, displaying tattoos of peacocks, wild horses, and bathing beauties across his broad chest, and thence proceed to run a 17 mile route over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito and back, after which he would take a one-mile swim in the treacherous currents of the San Francisco Bay near Alcatraz Island.

Sports Illustrated once sent a writer to do a story on Stack. The writer followed him around for a week, getting to know his habits and training routine. The writer, so impressed at how Walt almost invariably ran eight and a half minute miles - regardless of the distance - came to the conclusion that "Walt Stack's pace is so steady, if he fell out of an airplane he probably would fall at the speed of 8.5 minutes per mile."

[edit] Master of ceremonies

Whether as a master of award ceremonies or whilst holding court after a local fun run, Stack's jokes and stories were generally off color. Yet he never offended those who might be sensitive if he knew there world be a problem, and was always a real gentleman when appropo. After Dolphin South End Running Club events, Stack invariably invited the winning females to a congratulatory kiss.

Len Wallach, another prominent member of the Bay Area running community, was among the first fo Stack officiate his own marriage after hearing Stack mention he was licensed to marry people and had done so often, though the truth was somewhat short of the claim. Stack maintained his sense of propriety for the ceremony, though Wallach later said Stack "spit out old salty brine like a retired drill sergeant, and when he was at a loss for appropriate words he was inappropriate... There will never be another Walt." Stack went on to conduct marriages for a number of other runners and was proud to be a part of so many happy occasions.

[edit] Remembering Walt

Blue of eye with cheek of tan, Blessings on the DSE's First Man

With inspiration for all who dared (The grubby jokes were never spared)

Len and Buck and Ruth and Stu, And Sister Marion, they all knew

Walt, with several minor flaws, Unique-a rebel with a cause

Those who didn't run or soar, With Walt beside the Bay missed more

Than just a legend in our time, But also lost the chance to climb

With winged feet the heights of charm, With Walt, whose character so warm

Is with us still throughout the land, On mountain trail, along the sand

[edit] External links

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