I ran this 1983 Marathon, it was raining all the way. Between Rod dixon and me, 6 000 runners, and 10 000 behind me. I was the only Algerian runner! So happy time. Love NY. Mohamed, Paris, France.
Greatest marathon I ever saw. Rod Dixon is of the most diverse runners of all time. How many people have achieved records in the 1500m, 5,000m, 10,000m , marathons, half marathons and a 3:53 for a mile. The guy is one of the all time greats.
Later, we would have our Gebs, Kipchoges and Farahs who combined great 1500 speed with astonishing marathon prowess as well. But at that time Dixon's accomplishment was stunning. Middle distance prowess simply wasn't a property of marathoners, though I wonder if there weren't a lot of runners who could have done well at the distance, but simply didn't have the opportunity. Keino, for example.
Just want thank the People who displayed these wonderful old video's of famous Athletes all those years ago and wow, I had actually forgot this Marathon, Kiwi determination at it's BEST ROD DIXON. I remembered Alison Roe's race all those years ago - the young lass who wore white gloves and won one too.
i remember watching this on tv at the time..so proud of Rod and deserved his victory, followed his career from Munich 72, the commonwealth games 74 & Montreal 76..great tactical race
This is one of the few videos I've seen about the marathon and the emotions being captured. You could see Geoff Smith become devastated right when he sees Rod Dixon on his side and eventually passes him easily. You could also see how frightened Rod Dixon was now that he was in the lead. Nobody wants to be passed in the last minute of the race. Great video!
I remember the moment when Geoff Smith stumbled and almost fell with less than a mile to go. Meanwhile Dixon's profile got larger and larger in the background as the last mile dwindled. I had met Dixon a few months prior to this race at the Shore AC picnic and found him to be very down to earth and sincere. He asked me about my racing and took a genuine interest in my modest success. He held his own that day at the "beer" relay too. What a great guy!
Wonderful video..."You have to run your plan, not somebody else's," is such wisdom for a runner at any level. I'm surprised how many top runners at the time were unaware of the concept of running tangents. Dick Beardsley talked about running the first half of his course record at Grandma's Marathon in the middle of the road, until his competitor Garry Bjorklund reminded him how course distances are certified.
Athletic Veterans of Hong Kong (AVOHK) have the great privilege of hosting Rod Dixon as our Guest of Honour for the 2019 Gammon China Coast Marathon on Sun 20th Jan 2019
Congratulations Rod Dixon. That was a great win. You were so far behind and then you caught up. The second place runner was very tired I noticed when he was nearing the finish line. I like to think of you in the Olympics too.
How quaint, I remember watching this race with my roommate in college - it was a spectacular race, and so much was revealed from their facial expressions in those last miles. What I didn't know at the time what a decent guy Rod Dixon was - a true gentleman, giving all the credit to his competitor, Jeff Smith.
The best inspirational running video because it's the real deal not a commercial. I will be interviewing Rod Dixon this Thursday June 9 on my running show "Running & Racing" on KCSB 91.9 FM at 8 PM. I am looking forward to asking Rod about this race. Rod will be in Santa Barbara June 16 for a Santa Barbara Athletic Association dinner. If you see a running video that you feel is important please send it to me or send the title. If you are a running coach please contact me.
i sat watching this with my dad back in the day, he was saying there is no way he was going to win and was over confident. next thing you know he won. it was amazing to experience then.
Nice video, but even this doesn't fully capture the drama of that race. An important thing left out: Smith, with a huge lead, suddenly clutching his hamstring. And then doing it again and again. You could cut the tension with a knife as you watched Dixon closing in. It was like watching a lion approach a wounded gazelle.
This is awesome Mr. Dixon. Wow! I was sooo excited just watching. I'm running my first ever MArathon...first ever race and your videos have inspired me. I simply desire to finish. I'm not interested in my times and definately not winning-just running a good race. I love that you said be present during the training. I needed to hear that. Thank you very much and congrats on that 1983 Win. WOw!. Fee King
This race gave me one of the biggest thrills ever watching sports,as I had met Rod at the finish line at the Asbury Park 10K just two months earlier. To show you what I know,I tried to dissuade Rod from running the marathon,thinking it would ruin his shorter distance career.I was right,but it didn't matter of course.I still watch the race every couple of years,having had a VCR early on.
I remember watching this race so vividly. What a fantastic finish! The only fault of this video is that it doesn't show Smith repeatedly stopping to clutch his hamstring, which is what cost him his huge lead. It was so dramatic wondering if Smith could hold it together before Dixon could catch up.
I recall this well - there was that great pic of Dixon with his arms in the air with Smith on the floor writhing in agony with cramp but what a performance by him - the Liverpool fireman! Boy, the UK had a lot of great runners in those days. Where have they gone?
Smith was the kamikaze man. What is really amazing is that he made it to the finish, after the way he was blasting through the race. The only part that failed to keep going was his body.
The first time ive watched this race since seeing it live on tv by far the greatest marthon i ever seen think about that race at least once a year or more thanks
Rod was glad that he didn't take my advice:2 months before the race.I met him in Asbury Park,NJ and told him that if he ran the marathon it would end his track career!
Rod Dixon ran the tangent (shortest route) on the curves, while Geoff Smith ran wide (longest distance) on those same curves, and that is why he lost. Of course now after actually watching this clip I see that Dixon stated this clearly. Wow. Smith must have lost his mind in Central Park.
@ruasetepovos Steve Ovett has a great range of times too. 1:44.09 for 800; 3:30 for 1500m; 3:48.30 for 1 mile; 13:20 for 5000m and 1hr 2 min for half-marathon. Ovett has won major titles at 800m, 1500m, and 5000m.
Great race, though I grew up on the UES and had to cross First Avenue to get to the OTB parlors in my area (Second and 69th or 86th and Third), on Sunday morning (they opened at 10am), so this race always annoyed me a bit, especially since it ran ALL DAY after the leaders had passed by.
Great runner yes .......humble NO. That would be the last thing I would describe Rod to be .He got some great results for himself & NZ & for that I salute him .
Eli Doubleday The leader is often boxed in by camera trucks and motorcycles. The second place runner has more room to maneuver. Now they have a blue line painted on the road which shows the official shortest line for the leaders to follow.
I ran this 1983 Marathon, it was raining all the way. Between Rod dixon and me, 6 000 runners, and 10 000 behind me. I was the only Algerian runner! So happy time. Love NY. Mohamed, Paris, France.
Greatest marathon I ever saw.
Rod Dixon is of the most diverse runners of all time. How many people have achieved records in the 1500m, 5,000m, 10,000m , marathons, half marathons and a 3:53 for a mile. The guy is one of the all time greats.
Later, we would have our Gebs, Kipchoges and Farahs who combined great 1500 speed with astonishing marathon prowess as well. But at that time Dixon's accomplishment was stunning. Middle distance prowess simply wasn't a property of marathoners, though I wonder if there weren't a lot of runners who could have done well at the distance, but simply didn't have the opportunity. Keino, for example.
OMG this was epic! The Joy of Rod Dixon and the anguish of Geoff Smith! Hats off to Mr. Dixon for his humility and praise for his worthy opponent.
100
Just want thank the People who displayed these wonderful old video's of famous Athletes all those years ago and wow, I had actually forgot this Marathon, Kiwi determination at it's BEST ROD DIXON. I remembered Alison Roe's race all those years ago - the young lass who wore white gloves and won one too.
i remember watching this on tv at the time..so proud of Rod and deserved his victory, followed his career from Munich 72, the commonwealth games 74 & Montreal 76..great tactical race
loved that race, still remember being glued to the TV screen, super excited. Who says Kiwi's can't fly eh
This is one of the few videos I've seen about the marathon and the emotions being captured. You could see Geoff Smith become devastated right when he sees Rod Dixon on his side and eventually passes him easily. You could also see how frightened Rod Dixon was now that he was in the lead. Nobody wants to be passed in the last minute of the race. Great video!
Rod Dixon I have met him personally a true gentleman
Nicest and one of the most complete runner of all time . 1500 to Marathon , a true legend
1983 NY.marathon,greatest race I've ever seen.
I was at this race close to the finish line. I saw it all.
You sir are are a LIAR
this guy also ran a 3:52 mile...amazing RANGE
I used to train with this guy in PA in the early 80's...me on my bike.
To me the best race ever !! I've enjoyed Rods company many times .CLASS TO THE EXTREME.!!!
I remember the moment when Geoff Smith stumbled and almost fell with less than a mile to go. Meanwhile Dixon's profile got larger and larger in the background as the last mile dwindled. I had met Dixon a few months prior to this race at the Shore AC picnic and found him to be very down to earth and sincere. He asked me about my racing and took a genuine interest in my modest success. He held his own that day at the "beer" relay too. What a great guy!
Great performance. Truly versatile runner Rod Dixon.
Wonderful video..."You have to run your plan, not somebody else's," is such wisdom for a runner at any level. I'm surprised how many top runners at the time were unaware of the concept of running tangents. Dick Beardsley talked about running the first half of his course record at Grandma's Marathon in the middle of the road, until his competitor Garry Bjorklund reminded him how course distances are certified.
Athletic Veterans of Hong Kong (AVOHK) have the great privilege of hosting Rod Dixon as our Guest of Honour for the 2019 Gammon China Coast Marathon on Sun 20th Jan 2019
The NZ legends Walker Dixon Quax Moller Audain & Roe watched them all ooooh how NZ would love to have this calibre of Athlete on the World Stage now
A humble man. A great runner!
Nice meeting Rod yesterday.....very nice guy! What a race!
Congratulations Rod Dixon. That was a great win. You were so far behind and then you caught up. The second place runner was very tired I noticed when he was nearing the finish line. I like to think of you in the Olympics too.
Freakin' LOVED how he wasn't mobbed at the end, no stupid drape or towel, just had his moment.
How quaint, I remember watching this race with my roommate in college - it was a spectacular race, and so much was revealed from their facial expressions in those last miles. What I didn't know at the time what a decent guy Rod Dixon was - a true gentleman, giving all the credit to his competitor, Jeff Smith.
The most important thing is your plan. Our plan. Great advice.
Rod planned and carried out his plan in this race so well
This is the kind of videos that can give you the motivation to run a marathon and give you a story of a race.
The best inspirational running video because it's the real deal not a commercial. I will be interviewing Rod Dixon this Thursday June 9 on my running show "Running & Racing" on KCSB 91.9 FM at 8 PM. I am looking forward to asking Rod about this race. Rod will be in Santa Barbara June 16 for a Santa Barbara Athletic Association dinner. If you see a running video that you feel is important please send it to me or send the title. If you are a running coach please contact me.
i sat watching this with my dad back in the day, he was saying there is no way he was going to win and was over confident. next thing you know he won. it was amazing to experience then.
Nice video, but even this doesn't fully capture the drama of that race. An important thing left out: Smith, with a huge lead, suddenly clutching his hamstring. And then doing it again and again. You could cut the tension with a knife as you watched Dixon closing in. It was like watching a lion approach a wounded gazelle.
Man this is so Mad, man.
Speechless when i met the guy.. Really nice guy.
im go see him at Venice beach again.
This is awesome Mr. Dixon. Wow! I was sooo excited just watching. I'm running my first ever MArathon...first ever race and your videos have inspired me. I simply desire to finish. I'm not interested in my times and definately not winning-just running a good race. I love that you said be present during the training. I needed to hear that. Thank you very much and congrats on that 1983 Win. WOw!. Fee King
fantastic Rod!
You're s great sport and runner Rod Dixon
Nice to see this top man very humble
That was a legendary marathon.
Glad to see him win. I’ve only seen him run well in Olympic finals. Good runner 1500m to marathon amazing
This race gave me one of the biggest thrills ever watching sports,as I had met Rod at the finish line at the Asbury Park 10K just two months earlier.
To show you what I know,I tried to dissuade Rod from running the marathon,thinking it would ruin his shorter distance career.I was right,but it didn't matter of course.I still watch the race every couple of years,having had a VCR early on.
A well deserved win for Rod Dixon. He had the right plan.
Simply Awesome!
I remember watching this race so vividly. What a fantastic finish! The only fault of this video is that it doesn't show Smith repeatedly stopping to clutch his hamstring, which is what cost him his huge lead. It was so dramatic wondering if Smith could hold it together before Dixon could catch up.
I recall this well - there was that great pic of Dixon with his arms in the air with Smith on the floor writhing in agony with cramp but what a performance by him - the Liverpool fireman! Boy, the UK had a lot of great runners in those days. Where have they gone?
Wow, that was one of the best videos I've watched in a while!
Wonderful. Good advice. Run your race.
Smith was the kamikaze man. What is really amazing is that he made it to the finish, after the way he was blasting through the race. The only part that failed to keep going was his body.
brilliant
The first time ive watched this race since seeing it live on tv by far the greatest marthon i ever seen think about that race at least once a year or more thanks
This run in83 in the rain,better then Kipchoge's run in London 40 years later 😄😄
Great race Rod ,you and Geoff,,I am sorry about the Pacific ,,it went nucluer,jog steady only in Kingman Arizona zone ,I am working a shield
Rod Dixon you are my idol! I hope to win the marathon one day and be like you daddy
Rod was glad that he didn't take my advice:2 months before the race.I met him in Asbury Park,NJ and told him that if he ran the marathon it would end his track career!
Rod Dixon ran the tangent (shortest route) on the curves, while Geoff Smith ran wide (longest distance) on those same curves, and that is why he lost.
Of course now after actually watching this clip I see that Dixon stated this clearly. Wow. Smith must have lost his mind in Central Park.
The photo of that finish was very popular at the time. Rod with his arms up and Geoff Smith on his back behind him.
I ran in that race
But where have all the great all blacks gone too?- Snell, Walker, Quax, Dixon
A 4:56 mile pace (x26) omgggg, so unreal
I had a man crush on Rod as a kid. and all the NZ greats.
The chess game of life. Fascinating.
Go the Kiwis!
@ruasetepovos
Steve Ovett has a great range of times too. 1:44.09 for 800; 3:30 for 1500m; 3:48.30 for 1 mile; 13:20 for 5000m and 1hr 2 min for half-marathon. Ovett has won major titles at 800m, 1500m, and 5000m.
Great race, though I grew up on the UES and had to cross First Avenue to get to the OTB parlors in my area (Second and 69th or 86th and Third), on Sunday morning (they opened at 10am), so this race always annoyed me a bit, especially since it ran ALL DAY after the leaders had passed by.
nice
Great runner yes .......humble NO.
That would be the last thing I would describe Rod to be .He got some great results for himself & NZ & for that I salute him .
@bitrot66
correction 1:05 for the half-marathon for Ovett.
bitrot66 ovett was easily capable of running 1:02 for the half marathon so you ain't that wrong ,,,well done !!!!!!
Hard to believe Smith was a fireman too.
Remember Gianni Poli and Orlando Pizzolato? Those Italian maniacs were cool.
Geoff Smith lost the race by not running the tangents of the course, Dixon did and it made the difference..
Proves that you can be fast with a heal strike
best finish ever very emotional, only seb coes moscow 1500 comes close to sheer elation
so youre telling me no one else thought to run the tangents?
Eli Doubleday The leader is often boxed in by camera trucks and motorcycles. The second place runner has more room to maneuver. Now they have a blue line painted on the road which shows the official shortest line for the leaders to follow.
I know perfectly well who he was.
30 Jahre ist es her....unvergesslich.......gunter gabriel lief auch....brauchte aber
über 8 Stunden....ich nur 3 Stunden 20 Minuten
Why would a pro be running in the middle of the road?
Geoff Smith.Not bad for a PT athlete.FT fireman.Not FT like Dixon
that's because Africans didn't run it back then fool
I'm black
Yes they did!
You're s great sport and runner Rod Dixon