ELLIOT DENMAN

Elliot Denman may have been one of the few Boy Scouts in NYC who actually enjoyed 14-mile hikes. So, when in 1953 his big brother Marty introduced him to track and field, walking races became a natural attraction. Mentored by Henry Laskau and Bruce MacDonald, he was on his way. By September 1956 he was walking the Olympic Trial 50K. Wonder of wonders, the 50K novice placed fourth and made the team when third-placer Jim Hewson opted for the 20K. So young Elliott went to Melbourne placing 11 th.

In 1959, Elliott won both the 3K and 50K Nationals, as a proud member of the magnificent NY Pioneer Club team, but his focus would soon shift. He directed his first race, the National 10K in 1960, and in 1962 went to work as a newspaperman. Journalism and pedestrianism proved an ideal combination. While covering the wide, wide world of sports for the Asbury Park Press, including 10 Olympic Games and each edition of the World Championships, he found time to re-establish the Shore AC track team, organize countless events of all lengths and descriptions - including every 40K National but one since 1964 - and serve the sport of track and field in an array of capacities.

He joined the ranks of the IAAF judges in 1980 and has since carried his paddle to events assuring that the rules of the game were enforced with justice and fairness to all. He's walked the NYC Marathon 25 straight times and plans to do it forever. Sure he's slowing up, but he still gets there.