Montclair's Andy Kotulski is an inspiration to runners and others. The runner, who logged in his 618th marathon in Bucharest, celebrated his 70th birthday yesterday at Fitzgerald's in Glen Ridge with friends from the Essex Running Club (ERC). Baristanet regular and fellow marathon runner Mrs. Martta writes...
Here is some background on Andy:· Ran 3:11 in his first marathon (New York City) at age 37 (1977)
· Ran best time (2:39) in Jersey Shore Marathon (1984)
· Has run 609 marathonsHas run a marathon:
· On all 7 continents, 2 times
· In more than 75 countries
· Five times in all 50 US states and all Canadian provinces
· Won age group at least 3 times in each state and province
· Boston Marathon: Member of Boston Athletic Association's Quarter Century Club
(minimum 25 consecutive Boston Marathons)· Ran Boston 29 consecutive years (1978-2006) and for the 30th time (coinciding with 600th marathon overall) in 2008
· Unofficial world record holder for number of Boston qualifying times and has run a Boston qualifier (BQ) in all 50 US states and all Canadian provinces
In 2008, Kotulski was inducted into the ERC Hall of Fame. When he accepted his Hall of Fame Award at the awards banquet, he said, "It's never been about the numbers." A running colleague later asked him what that meant, and he replied, "Always about the challenge, adventure, and friendship." Andy, we salute you!
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Comments (11)
Tremendous accomplishments! I salute you as well!
Tremendous accomplishments! I salute you as well Andy!
Impressive.
What's he drinking in the photo?
"What's he drinking in the photo?"
Ibuprofen in its pure extract form.
Here's some interesting math: if you think of a marathon as 26 miles long, you are close. Marathon distance is actually 26 miles, 385 yards. At 618 completed races, just that additional yardage alone adds up to 135.2 miles -- or the equivalent of a tad more than five full marathons. In all, Andy has run around 16,203 miles. I don't even have that much in my frequent flyer account! Amazing.
"What's he drinking in the photo?"
Beer.
But ROC's answer is funnier!
I wihs him a very Happy Birthday!
He puts me to shame. I must start exercising more.
Actually, I want to know what specific brand, flavor and vintage of beer.
One might like to believe it's a special beer that confers all the endurance necessary to complete all those marathons, and a special beer that one can consume without it adding to one's size or weight.
It's not, I know. So I guess the lesson is: if you run that much you don't need to count calories or watch carbs.
I'm still well shy of 70, but my knees already scream at me at the slightest bit of road running.
"One might like to believe it's a special beer that confers all the endurance necessary to complete all those marathons, and a special beer that one can consume without it adding to one's size or weight."
Walter, such a brew does exist. And the only way to find it is to try as many different beers as you possibly can, and in quantities approaching wretched excess until you find the one that is the magic elixir. And even if you don't, look at all the fun you had.
First marathon in 3:11 at 37! This guy was a world class runner for many years and maybe, didn't even know it.
I bow to this dude. I'm in awe.
And this is before they had the fancy running shoes or knew much about about hydration and carbo-loading. And one of the nicest,most humble person you'll ever meet.