David O'Meara
Eugene Challenge Mile - Eugene Running Company
5th & Pearl ⋅ Eugene, OR, US ⋅ Jun, 7 2008 | Coverage created by kevind
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David O'Meara
One Mile Runner
David O'Meara is on a remarkable journey that will last him through the Summer. For his 6th race, we caught up with him in Eugene, Oregon as he prepared for the the Eugene Challenge Mile. He placed 17th overall - first for his age group (45+) in 4:45.39.
“I wasn’t planning on going low today, but I ran a solid race. That’s all I wanted to do,” said O’Meara, who ranked as the No. 9 masters runner in the country last year.
“I’m a motivational speaker, and if I’m going to get people to take a risk and go out for courage and strength and have faith — then I need to be an example of that. I really think it has to be lived and not just talked about.”
To follow O’Meara on his tour around the country check out his Web site at OneMileRunner . He's posting weekly journals and updates from each one of his stops.
“The mile used to be huge,” he said. “I’m really trying to bring it back. Why not? That’s my whole goal here — to inspire people by bringing the mile back."
“I think it’s the best race in the world.”
In his blog he commented on his trip to Eugene a few days after getting back home.
"For a Prefontaine fan, visiting Eugene is like visiting Graceland if you were an Elvis Presley fan. You can feel the spirit and the energy of a person that made such a remarkable impact with his life's gifts and works."
We had a fantastic time visiting with O'Meara during his stay in Track Town, and wish him the best of luck as he continues his 20/20/20<5@45 across the country.
Video filmed and edited by Kevin Danaher
June 21, 2008
All the different climates, terrains, jet lag, and worries. Worrying what his next meal is going to be. Being that Dave is a very strict vegetarian. worrying about how to get to the next event, paying your bills,about not having your regular crew with you. Massage running buddies, coach ect. Being on the road 20 weeks straight @ 45 years old. I think you have to have big balls to brag about beating David in one race unless you're where he is and doing what he is.
You sound like the guy who beat the World class Kenyan runner in the first mile of the marathon. With David it isn't about winning it's about consistency, It's about showing us old men can still excell at any age. And I thank him for that. Look in the Rankings and see where David was ranked last year for the mile nationally, I think it was 5th or 6th.
Well anyway good luck to you David, And good luck to you egotistic I beat David runners. And David thanks for your example in my life.
Thanks for your continued support. Hope to see you in my travels.
and just to let everybody know, i outkicked him at the end of the race over the last 300m
...about the Eugene Challenge Mile: One correction, I was the Masters Winner in 4:31, my friend Steve Richards (41) was 2nd in 4:34. David is a good runner. I estimate there might be a 100 plus masters runners in the US that can beat him on a mile if they chose to run it.
keep on running...
tk