Star Runner Bill Rodgers ’70 Featured in Runner’s World

In May 2009, Bill Rodgers ’70 – a decorated cross-country, and track and field athlete at Wesleyan – was featured in an article in Runner’s World magazine by Steve Rushin. Following graduation, Rodgers became one of the best-known and most popular American marathon runners ever. The feature takes a look at Rodgers’ life and his successes, which include four wins in the Boston Marathon, four consecutive wins in the New York Marathon, and twice qualifying for the U.S. Olympic team. In all, Rodgers won more than 20 marathon events in a span of 11 years (1973-1983). In addition to his athletic success, Rodgers also battled back from prostate cancer and now uses running as a way to raise awareness about the disease.

In the feature, titled “The Most Likely Return of Boston Billy,” the author interviews Rodgers’ college roommate and teammate, Amby Burfoot ’68. As a senior at Wesleyan, Burfoot won the Boston Marathon in 1968 to become the first collegian to win the world’s oldest continuous marathon event. The duo are pictured in the article in their 1967 cross-country team photo.

Author Nick Weldon recently updated the story seven years after it was published. Read the full article here.