- Three-time winner, Mt Washington Road Race (17-time finisher)
- 30-times New England Champion at distances from 5k to 30k
- Second place World (mountain) Trophy Race
- 20th at 1992 Olympic Marathon Trials
- Dave has run over 97,000 miles in 18 countries and 48 states (and kept track of it all)!
Dave's running accomplishments are literally too numerous to list; he's been the top US finisher at prestigious international races, was awarded the USATF Mountain Runner of the Year, and won everything from the Mountain Washington Road Race, Rogaine championships, ultra races, and snowshoe races. And that's just a few headlines; "DD" is well known by everyone in the mountain running world not only for his outstanding racing career, but also for what he has brought to the sport. Dave is the founder of the La Sportiva USATF NE Mt Circuit, a race director, USATF representative, and one of the Managers of the National Team.
"I grew up in Billerica (20 miles West of Boston), went to school at Billerica High school and then the University of Lowell (Lowell, MA). High school state champion at 2 miles (9:15) and seven time All-America at U-Lowell (5,000/10,000/XC). 17th (2:22:03) at my only Boston Marathon. The Japanese say, "A wise man climbs Mt Fuji once in his lifetime ... a fool climbs it twice."
Paul Kirsch, current USATF New England MUT Representative comments:
"What amazes me with him, is he's out there cheering on first place, last place, everyone. He organizes two snowshoe races, three mountain/trail races, and others as well, while still being an elite athlete himself. Speaking of which, meeting him, you'd never know he was an elite athlete."
"He's competed at the highest level of competition around the world, and now gives back. He got me involved in mountain running, just like he did for hundreds of people."
"You've got a guy who just eats, sleeps, and breaths running, still finding new ways to promote it. He founded the La Sportiva USATF New England Mt Circuit, which is unique in the country - every type of running is included in this series, thanks to Dave."
"For example, last year the race director at Mt Ascutney didn't want to do it, so Dave stepped in and took it over. But in order to not lose his own points in the Circuit standings, he ran the race at 7 am by himself, then went back down to the starting line to time and manage everyone else."
"I've got a quote on my computer screen from Dave: 'You're never too old to do something stupid'".
See Dave's Bio on this website.
I don't do anything special, just gotta get out that door every day (twice a day is even better). There is no secret.
I normally (when not injured!) race a lot, including snowshoe races in the winter.
I started because I was terrible at other sports, but could run. I keep running because if I stop I wouldn't be me any more. I always have another race or series of races I want to do.
I'm currently working on a history of road running in New England, and also working on a history of the World Trophy race, as well as a second edition of my book on the Mt Washington Road Race.
Buy Dave's book on the Mount Washington Road Race here.
Hoping to stay healthy and run all of the races in the La Sportiva USATF Mt Series. If things go well, would like to get over to Europe for this year's "triple" opportunity - the World Long Distance Championships (Sept 5 at the Jungfrau Marathon in Switzerland), the open race at the World Trophy (Sept 15 also in Switzerland), and the World Masters Championships in Mountain Running (September 23 in nearby Austria).
I'd like to get my 1,000 race this year and my 100,000th mile as well. I've already got in my "W" for the year (at least one race win for 29 straight years)!
What's an average training week for me? Average has been me being injured! :-) Here is a random week from July 3-9 last year:
Monday: Lunch run - 3 mi, 20:39. Afternoon - run in the woods, 8 mi, 57:34
Tuesday: 4 mi warm-up on race course 30:36; 2 mi road race in 10:40; 4 mi warm-down.
Wed: Lunch run - 3 mi, 21:16. Afternoon - in woods, 8 mi, 56:12
Thurs: Lunch run - 3 mi, 20:42. Afternoon - run around Winnikenni, 8 mi, 60:44
Fri: Lunch run - 3 mi, 20:28. Afternoon - 86 degree and humid, 8 mi at Winni in 54:46
Sat: 2 hour drive to Mt Cranmore race; 3 mi warm-up; 10K up/down race (two loops) 4th place 50:23; Slow 2 mi warm-down. 3:00 PM - 3 more miles easy.
Sun: 11 miles on the Groton Rail trail, 83:18
Total: 81 miles for the week.
