Watching Dave run all those years ago was probably the reason I started racing. I ran on the track, road and country, and never thought I would ever stop running, unfortunately a knee injury stopped that. He is right about increasing the miles when it comes to training, and it definately improved my times. I loved Dave´s front running tactics, much better than just sitting on someones shoulder waiting to pounce, in Dave´s case most of the time he just went right away from the field. Great video AW.
Amazing coincidence to see Bob Parker’s (Coach) picture sitting on Dave’s shoulder during that interview. A good coach never quits looking after his athlete!
Slightly surprised that Dave didn’t mention his 27:47 European 10,000 metres record in 1971 as one of his best races, seeing as it was set, according to Brendan Foster, on “a scorching hot afternoon...and...the crumbly cinder surface soon cut up.” Allow maybe a second a lap each for both the surface and the weather and you might have had the first sub-27 minute 10,000 m, years ahead of its time. Also, his European 5000 metres record set earlier that year in strong winds at Edinburgh might, in better conditions, have been a world record.
One of the greatest distance runners ever. Thanks for sharing Mr. Bedford!
Watching Dave run all those years ago was probably the reason I started racing. I ran on the track, road and country, and never thought I would ever stop running, unfortunately a knee injury stopped that. He is right about increasing the miles when it comes to training, and it definately improved my times. I loved Dave´s front running tactics, much better than just sitting on someones shoulder waiting to pounce, in Dave´s case most of the time he just went right away from the field. Great video AW.
Amazing coincidence to see Bob Parker’s (Coach) picture sitting on Dave’s shoulder during that interview. A good coach never quits looking after his athlete!
I was wondering who the photo was of before I saw your comment :-)
What a humble and wise interview from a legend of the sport.
Fantastic David Bedford !
Great interview!! Thanks!
Slightly surprised that Dave didn’t mention his 27:47 European 10,000 metres record in 1971 as one of his best races, seeing as it was set, according to Brendan Foster, on “a scorching hot afternoon...and...the crumbly cinder surface soon cut up.” Allow maybe a second a lap each for both the surface and the weather and you might have had the first sub-27 minute 10,000 m, years ahead of its time. Also, his European 5000 metres record set earlier that year in strong winds at Edinburgh might, in better conditions, have been a world record.
Great runner. I always wondered why he ran that first lap so fast in the Munich 10000m Olympic final? I saw no reason for that.
Served you a few vodkas at the Sportswriters dinner at Quaglinos in 1978…you tried to jump over a mini!Duncan McKenzie did!