Incredibly strong... that's Dave Romansky, born April 8, 1938. Dave is 6 feet 2 inches and has battled weight fluctuations. His weight varied from close to 200 pounds to 163 pounds when he was in top shape. Romansky went from a former mediocre road runner to an international class race walker in a brief 2 years. He started race walking in 1967 and immediately found himself with technique problems. He and Jake Jacobson went over basic techniques and straightened out the problems for some of his longer races. Dave's amazing strength had gotten him through some super races, but at times he would "pull" himself off the ground with his arms.  He has since eliminated that problem. In 1968 he won his first national championship, at the 40 kilometer in Long Branch , New Jersey , and made the 50 kilometer team for the Olympics in Mexico City after only a year of race walking.

In 1970 he had a great year, setting American records at distances from 1,500 meters to 10,000 meters. His trip to Europe was successful. Defeating the Germans and the French and losing to the Russians, he posted a record 1:29:50 for the 20km. On a trip to Sweden in 1978, Dave walked an incredible 20 kilometers in 1:33 at the ripe age of 40.

(editors note) Dave continues to be very active in race walking. At times, he has been a very successful masters walker.  More importantly he has given back to the sport and has coached countless champions from little kids to masters athletes.

Competing

Began race walking in February 1967 after training and competing as a regionally competitive runner for 3 years

Became Olympic race walking prospect at the end of 1967

Dominated East Coast race walking field in 1968, breaking many records

Qualified for Olympic team in the 50K in 1968

Won first of 12 National Championships in the 40K in 1968

Competed at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City , placing 26th despite suffering from the flu and a 102° fever

Won National 1 Mile Championship in 1969, defeating Olympic champion Abdon Pumich of Italy

Won numerous prestigious indoor track and field meets in 1969, including the Penn Relays and the Martin Luther King Games.

Won “Outstanding Track Athlete of the Year” in 1970 for Mid-Atlantic Region

Won “ United States Outstanding Walker of the Year” in 1970

Named “Outstanding Amateur Athlete of the Year” in 1970 by New Jersey Sportswriters Association

Won 7 Championships, and set 12 US records and 3 world records in 1970 – setting 5 US records in one race

Selected to the USA Track Team each year from 1968 through 1972

Toured with the USA Track Team in 1970, winning the 20K in France , the 10K in Germany , and placing 3rd in the 20K in Russia

Placed 8th in World Championships in the 20K in Germany in 1970

Anchored the only US team to ever win in international competition, winning the 85 mile, 5-man race in Switzerland in 1970

Placed 3rd in 1972 dual meet (USA and Russia), finishing only 1 second behind three-time Olympic Gold Medal winner Vladimir Gloubinichy

Toured with the USA Team in 1978 – still world class at 40 years of age

Placed 5th in the World 5K Championships in 1995

Won USA Racewalker of the Year for 55-59 age group five years in a row (1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999)

Named “Outstanding Athlete of the Year” by the Shore Athletic Club in 1997

Named National Masters Racewalker of the Year in 1997 and 1998

Won six national masters championships and set ten US records in 1998; won five national masters championships and set seven US records in 1999

Inducted into the Penns Grove High School Hall of Fame in 1998

Inducted into the Delaware Track and Field Hall of Fame in 1999

Inducted into the Shore Athletic Club Hall of Fame 2000   

Inducted into the Salem County All Sports Hall of Fame 2001 along with Don Bragg Gold Medal 1960

Inducted into the USA Masters Track and Field Hall of Fame in 2002

Coaching and Promoting

Promoted first race in 1965, and began organizing youth track meets

Worked with former Olympian Browning Ross to expand the South Jersey Track Club in 1965

Formed Pennsville Track Club in 1966 with membership of more than 100 children

Named New Jersey Jaycees’ Man of the Year for 1968 and Pennsville Jaycees’ Man of the Year for work with children

Created the South Jersey Charger Track Club for girls in 1969

Trained nationally-ranked cross country runner Beth Benner, who finished 2nd (twice) in national competition and 6th in international competition in Spain . Beth set a world record in the marathon by winning the New York Marathon, and was the first woman to run the marathon in less than 3 hours.

Gave more than 100 speeches to thank organizations throughout the Mid-Atlantic region for their support during 1968 and 1969

Worked with the Ranch Hope track program for children

Coached Delaware Track and Field Track Club; helped form All Girls’ Eastern Track and Field Team

During 1999 and 2000 donated his time and energy by giving more than 20 free racewalking clinics in New Jersey , Pennsylvania , and Texas . Also worked individually with dozens of walkers during regional, national, and world championship races

Currently coaching National Masters Champion Sherry Brosnahan (age 51, New Jersey ) and several other outstanding masters and youth athletes. In 2002, Brosnahan set a new World Masters record in the 50K racewalk and was named America ’s Outstanding Masters Racewalker of the Year.

Other Honors

Featured in articles in Sports Illustrated, Saturday Evening Post, New York Times, and other national publications

Received countless letters of acknowledgment from US presidents, governors, senators, and others for his work with children and the community

Most Memorable Moment

Being recognized by Jesse Owens for achieving world class stature as an athlete and as a coach while raising a family and working for a living.

50K Olympic Games
1968 – 26th – 5:38:03.4 – Mexico City, Mexico

20K World Cup
1970– 8th – 1:30:46.2– Escborn, West Germany