DETROIT LAKES — At 69 years old, Dick Beardsley does not appear to be slowing down.
The legendary runner was a top finisher in what is now known as the “Duel in the Sun” during the 1982 Boston Marathon. He still runs 4 miles a day, but he said he goes a lot slower than he did in the ‘80s.
“I'm like a car with square wheels,” he said with a laugh. “I still love getting out there and like I tell people, ‘If I ran any slower, honestly I'd be caught backwards.’”
As a longtime long distance runner, the impact on his knees is substantial: Beardsley’s right knee was replaced 17 years ago, and he’s undergone 20 surgeries on the left one. He thought he might lose one of his legs after a harrowing battle with sepsis last year, but the motivational speaker and local fishing guide, as well as innkeeper, keeps on moving.
"The way they had to rebuild it and put the special kind of knee in it, I can only run like 15- to 16-minute miles, so it's like almost more like a brisk walk,” Beardsley said. “But in my mind, I'm running.”
Formerly of Detroit Lakes and now a Bemidji resident, Beardsley has been a part of his namesake race since its inception. But he says he gets way too much credit for it.
"All I do is show up. I do a little talk, you know, at the pasta supper, sing a few songs, greet the runners when they come into the finish line. That's it,” Beardsley said. “Everybody else does all the work, you know, to put it on.
"I'm honored that they wanted to name it after me, and then the fact that it's still around 30 years later.”
One of the longtime coordinators for the Dick Beardsley Races was the late Mark Knutson, who also directed the Fargo Marathon. Knutson died two years ago at the age of 53, as the victim of a bicycle-versus-vehicle crash in Detroit Lakes.
Current Race Coordinator James Botner got involved several years ago as a volunteer, having previously participated as a runner.
“I wanted to learn and attach myself to Mark and kind of be a part of his world for a little bit,” Botner said. “After his passing, I wanted to do what he did and kind of keep that going locally and do my best.
“I still have a lot to learn. I wish he was still around for many, many reasons, but that ultimately is why I'm a part of it.”
Botner credited the Detroit Lakes community for the event's continued success.
“I don't have stats, but I can guarantee you not many races go 30 years without postponing, canceling, not doing it, so kudos to Detroit Lakes," Botner said. "They really rally behind this event, and it brings a ton of excitement and energy to the [Detroit] Lakes area post-Labor Day weekend. Another week to be at the lake, celebrate and hang out.”
Organizers hope to see 3,000 participants in the Dick Beardsley Half Marathon, 10K or the 5K that all start at 8 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, from the Detroit Lakes Pavilion.
As a carb-heavy favorite for athletes of this sport, spaghetti will be served by local restaurant Hub41, also at the Pavilion, 6 p.m. Friday. The feed is open to all.
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