RUNNING HALL OF FAME ANNOUNCES THE CLASS OF 2006

April 13, 2006 (Utica, NY) – The National Distance Running Hall of Fame announces the Induction Class of 2006.  The following are members of the class of 2006, Marty Liquori, Gerry Lindgren and Patti Dillon. The National Distance Running Hall of Fame announcement is part of the Boston Marathon Weekend.

“The BAA has been proud to play a role in the National Distance Running Hall of Fame announcement of inductees. We have been involved since the Hall of Fame’s inception,” said Guy Morse, Executive Director of the Boston Athletic Association. “As a host to the world’s oldest annual marathon, and with the media attendance at the Boston Marathon, we take great pride in partnering with the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.”

Gerry Lindgren was one of the most dominant collegiate athletes. He won 11 NCAA titles. Marty Liquori is one of only four high school runners to break the four-minute mile. He defeated the World Record holder in a race that is referred to as the dream mile. Patti Catalano Dillon helped to ignite women’s running in the 1970’s and 1980’s. She was the first American to break a 2:30.00 marathon.

“We are honored to be able to make this announcement to coincide with the Boston Marathon,” said Earle Reed, Director of the Hall of Fame. “ The BAA has been a tremendous partner for the Hall, and it is fitting to announce such an exceptional 2006 class in conjunction with the BAA and one of the most important races in the world.”

John Petrone, Assistant Director of the Hall of Fame, praised this year’s class as highly worthy and representative of the achievements many in the distance running community admire. “This class reminds us of the hard work and dedication that it has taken for this sport to be recognized worldwide, and the people who contribute to that recognition,”

The Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Saturday, July 8 at the Stanley Theater in Utica, New York. The Ceremony will begin at 5 P.M. and is open to the public. The cost of admission is free. The Induction Ceremony is part of the festivities taking place at the Hall of Fame weekend featuring the Boilermaker Road Race. This will be the eighth class inducted into the Hall of Fame.

The Hall of Fame voting committee, a group of national leaders in the running community as well as members of each induction class selected this year’s the inductees. Current Hall of Famers include: Ted Corbitt, Bill Rodgers, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Frank Shorter, Kathrine Switzer, John J. Kelley, Nina Kuscsik, Billy Mills, Alberto Salazar, and Grete Waitz.

For more information, contact Mary MacEnroe at the National Distance Running Hall of Fame in Utica, NY at (315) 724-4525 office or (315) 796-4524.

Gerry Lindgren finished first in the 1964 U.S. Olympic Trail for the 10,000 Meter. He was one of the most dominant collegiate athletes. Lindgren won 11 out of 12 NCAA events as a student at Washington State.  He also finished first in the 1966 and 1967 NCAA 3 mile, 6 mile, 2 mile indoor and Cross Country. Lindgren finished first in the 1968 NCA.A 5,000 meter, 6-mile and Cross Country. He holds a World Record in the 6 mile with a time of 27:12. Lindgren is the first American to win a distance event in a Soviet Union/United States Meet.

Marty Liquori is one of only four high school runners to break four minutes for the mile. He qualified for the Olympic team in the 1500 metes. As a college student at Villanova University, Liquori won three straight NCAA one-mile titles. Liquori won the dream mile when he defeated current World Record holder Jim Ryun (National Distance Running Hall of Fame Class 2003). He set following American Record 2 mile with a time of 8:17, 5,000 meter with a time of 13:15.06 and 13:00. Liquori held the following Championships AAU 1969 and 1970 one mile, 1971 Pan-Am Games 1,500 meter, and the NCAA 1969, 1970, 1971 one mile. He has served on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, ABC TV Sports Commentator, Co-founder, President, Athletic Attic, designer for Brooks shoes, ESPN’s Running and Racing and NBC Sport Olympic
Commentator.

Patti Catalano Dillon has been ranked seconded as top female American Marathoners of all times. Dillon along with Joan Benoit Samuelson ignited the American women’s marathon running. She is a four time Champion of the Honolulu and Ocean State Marathon. Dillon was the first American woman to run a 2:30 marathon second in the world. She set the American Record in the 10K with a time of 32:08. Dillon broke the American records in the 15K and 10 mile. She also set a world record in the 20K.