Photo courtesy of deenkastor.com.
Three-time Olympian and bronze medalist Deena Kastor and husband, Andrew Kastor, coaching director for the L.A. Marathon and Los Angeles Road Runners, will share their inspiration as the keynote speakers for the 50-Year Reunion of 1968 Olympic Marathon Trials held in Alamosa, Colo.
Their address will begin at 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 27, in Adams State University Richardson Hall. Deena, who trained under U.S. Hall of Fame running Coach Joe I. Vigil in Alamosa, earned a bronze medal in the marathon during the 2004 Athens Olympics, as well as achieving many other prestigious medals and awards in the running sport. Andrew coached Shadrack Biwott to fifth in the 2016 NYC Marathon and fourth in the 2017 Boston Marathon, served as the coaching director for the LA Marathon and Los Angeles Road Runners for five years, and the co-authored the book Running Your First Marathon, The Complete 20-Week Marathon Training Plan.
Deena Kastor’s other accomplishments include U.S. record holder in the marathon and in the 8K; World Masters record holder in the 10K, 15K, 20K and half-marathon; U.S. Masters record holder in the marathon (2:27:47); held U.S. records in the following distances at one point in her career: 5K, 8K, 10,000m, 15K, 10 miles, 20K, ½ marathon, 25K, 30K and marathon; 7-time U.S. cross country champion; 2-time world cross country silver medalist; 21-time U.S. National Champion in various events; competed for the U.S. in 19 World Championship events; and authored the book, Let Your Mind Run, A Memoir of Thinking My Way to Victory.
Andrew received a Bachelor of Science degree from Adams State, and as a student-athlete competed in cross-country and track, specializing in the middle-distance events. Post-graduation, Andrew moved to Mammoth Lakes, California, where he created and coached a non-profit running club called the High Sierra Striders. He’s now the head coach for the Mammoth Track Club. Other notable accomplishments include high altitude training consultant for international Olympians: Alexi Pappas GRE, Koen Naert BEL, Cesar Lizano CRC, and Sarah Attar KSA; marathon coach for Saudi Arabian Olympic Committee in 2016; and contributor to various national print publications, including Runner’s World, Running Times, SHAPE, FITNESS, HEALTH, Women’s Health and New York Runner magazines. Andrew continues to work with professional runners of all abilities—from Olympians to Boston Qualifiers to the first timers.
Tickets for the Friday, July 27, Keynote Address are $10 and can be reserved by contacting the Adams State Alumni Office at 719-587-8110 or 1-800-824-6494 (ext. 8) or alumni@adams.edu.
Other U.S. distance running greats will join U.S. Hall of Fame running coach Joe I. Vigil and Adams State Director of Cross Country and Track & Field Damon Martin for the 50-year reunion, which will include an 8K run on Saturday, July 28 that largely follows the same marathon course Alamosa set up for the 1968 U.S. Olympic Marathon trials. Visit Finish Line Timing 50th Anniversary 1968 Olympic Trials Run for registration. Or email Clayton Foster at ckfoster@adams.edu to register.
On the evening of July 28, a banquet will be held at Adams State to honor the running legends and recognize Alamosa and Adams State’s role in making popular high-altitude training. Banquet tickets are $50 and can be reserved by emailing alumni@adams.edu.
