Dave Clingan’s horrid news: Knee ills force retirement
Dave Clingan, our friend for nearly a decade and co-founder of this site, today sent this crushing note: “After three months of persistent knee pain, I finally went to see an orthopedic specialist today and got an X-ray of my right knee. Here’s the bad news: I have advanced osteoarthritis, as indicated by severe loss of cartilage in the knee. It is irreversible and irreparable. Any running I do from now on will be painful and only worsen the problem. Which means, for all intents and purposes, my running days are over.” Dave, a world-class 800-meter man and relay record-setter, has been a finalist at worlds several times. But even more significant, his selfless labors as a ranker and calendar-maker have helped the masters movement in countless ways.
Dave’s note continued:
It’s hard getting used to the idea of hanging up my spikes after 13 years of masters track and field competition. It’s been 13 great years. And giving up jogging as a healthy lifestyle is a grim prospect.
I can’t say how much longer I will be involved in masters track & field administrative activities as a non-participant (at least until the end of this year). But I know I will remain active as a coach, which will keep me on the track helping out young athletes. And I fully intend to keep in touch will all my running friends who have become a big part of my life.
These friendships are, and will remain, extremely important to me.
Dave’s role in this Web site has been ramped down over the years, but I consider him a full partner and will encourage him to maintain a presence here somehow.
Personally, I’m deeply saddened by the injustice of this injury — and the end to a stellar career. Anyone who has raced Dave at nationals knows his Prefontaine-like courage. He’s fully vested in the sport — as a youth coach of some truly incredible talent — so we’ll see him around the country, but his absence at nationals and worlds will leave a big void in our hearts.
As USATF Masters Awards Committee chairman, he’s moved heaven and earth to improve the way our star athletes are recognized within the USATF universe. As the former chair of the USATF Masters Rankings Committee, he moved our world into the 21st century. And his continuing work to create a stand-alone USATF Masters Web site is critical to our niche.
Dave’s retirement is a huge blow to himself, but even more to our movement.
Dave Clingan, 53, of Portland, Oregon, excelled at 800 meters but also was national class at distances up to 5 kilometers, especially in cross country.
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14 Responses
Dave,
We appreciate all that you have done for Masters Track & Field. And our prayers are with you and your future.
Jeff Davison
Dave,
You are a wonderful friend and great competitor but what you have done for Masters Track and Field is legendary.Much love to you.
Nolan Shaheed
My sympathies to Dave. How hard to lose what has obviously been such a big part of your life. After more than 32 years in Masters running – 30 years in Masters track (first meet was in Montreal in 1978, where I watched Tosh Delia defy all the early restrictions and run the 10,000K – I was so inspired by her) – I can only imagine how I would feel if I could no longer participate.
That said, I am now considering just that – partly because of research done by two Canadian coaches who focused on the need for coaches for Masters T&F athletes. I coached “adult-onset” runners (Roy Benson’s term) for 18 years – from obtaining my coaching certification in Canada in 1989 until 2006. Backed off recently – but with a move back to Canada in the coming months I’m hoping to get back to coaching – perhaps coaching of 50+ runners who can meet at some time other than 5:30pm. I refer to the model established by Harold Morioka (you know him) whose TriCity Greyhounds meet at 9:30am on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. He’s a great coach, and has an enthusiastic, and talented, group of T&F athletes mostly retirees 60+ and up.
Relevance for Dave? Congratulations to him for coaching youth – but what a gift all his talent and experience would be – as a coach and an athlete – for the many talented T&F athletes in his area.
Just a thought – best wishes to him wherever he may choose to contribute his energy and expertise.
PS – I’m moving to Comox on Vancouver Island, so won’t be able to run with Harold’s group in Vancouver. But he inspires me, too, to follow his example.
Oh Man…I’m so sorry to hear that. Dave is such a great guy. He’s done so much for Masters track down there…but his influence extends even up here in Canada – when we started our Rankings. I can remember many of his races (can’t remember where tho!)…blasting away fearlessly in the lead! All the best my friend.
Thanks to everyone for their warm and sympathetic comments. Very uplifting and much appreciated. To Doug: I always remember your races. Maybe its the big hair, but I really think it’s the big heart!
David : I am sorry to hear about your recent knee problems. I know you have been very involved in the Masters movement and I like to thank you for all your efforts. I am sure you will continue to be connected in some fashion. Best wishes. Juan Bustamante
Sounds like a classic setup for a switch to racewalking. Surprisingly, it’s easy on the knees because you don’t bend them much. Give it a try.
Quick Silver
Hong Kong
Dear Dave… I am saddened by this news. You were my inspiration to be born again on the track some 8 years ago. You ARE still a mentor for me. Be it for advice, information, or just sippin on a pint in the backyard pubs of Oregon. I am gladdened that you will continue to inspire and mentor people to run from age zero to 99. Most importantly, thank you for being a good friend.
I am so sorry Dave. Thank you for your years of great service in keeping the rankings. I hope you will continue with your coaching and perhaps even with the ranking but whatever way you decide to turn, know that you will be missed as a great competitor and a great role model for all of us – older and younger than you.
Dave,
Our bodies try to accomodate us, but it’s hard…… We push it so.
You are so much to this masters community….We’ll miss you on the track.
Sal
FR: David E. Ortman (M54), Seattle, WA
So sorry to hear about the knees. I suppose, as Rumsfeld might have said, you go into track meets with the body parts you have, not the body parts you wish you had. Thanks for all your past (and, we hope, continued) contributions to masters track and field. You have brought sanity into the rankings. All the best.
A great natured competitor will be missed at our championships.
Dave.. Thank you so much for sharing yourself and your many talents with us in the masters community as well as the youth. You will always make a positive difference in the lives of those you associate with. My condolences on such a sudden end to a great passion shared by many. You’re a great competitor and a great leader. Best wishes in all of your endeavors and thank you for being the man that you are.
Dave – Even though you and I are in different age groups, I was hoping to toe the line with you someday. Your M50 marks are inspiring. Thanks for your work in developing the online rankings. You have made a lasting contribution to the sport.
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