Jerry Smartt dazzles and regales radio hosts in YouTube video
“The fastest 79-year-old guy in the world.” That’s what hosts of a radio show say of distance runner Jerry Smartt of Warsaw, Missouri, in a 12-minute interview with lots of great photos from Lahti worlds, where he was a top-7 finisher in the M75 5K and 10K. “I’ve got another 20 years, for sure,” he says. He tells of his elite career in the 1950s, and the lessons he learned from a Finnish coach in 1956 (about landing on the balls of his feet first). “I don’t have hip problems or knee problems,” he says as a result. “There you are.” See him race at Sacramento worlds, where he hopes to defend his titles.
16 Responses
Congratulations to you, Jerry, for getting some well-deserved recognition. Hope you have a nice drive to Sacramento and arrive fresh and ready to rumble.
We finally have a prediction (from Accuweather) for the first day of Worlds (July 6): low of 69 and high of 100. Keep that bandanna on and you should do fine. All best.
PT
Great interview and YouTube, Jerry. And I’ll never look at shopping carts in quite the same way again.
The radio cats made a few flubs. I was 6th and 7th at Lahti but at age 77(then) I was ‘fastest in the world’ for age 77. The cats ahead of me were younger.smile. I may be the oldest in my age group this year turning eight zero on 9/11. I’m ecstatic that Whitlock is Canadian.(^_^)(thanks for the plug, Ken). Smartty
The picture shows it all. I always run second American to Jerry. He’s a year older but light years better. We had a great time in Finland and
we’re looking forward to Sacramento. The Team USA
distance runners in, the 75-79 age group, should be great with Bill Iffrig, John Brennard, Bill Spencer and Jerry Smartt.
Wow Jerry, you have great legs!
Okay, look, I’ve finally made up my mind. I DO NOT have a “track crush” on Liz Palmer, so there. On the other hand, I DO HAVE a crush on Liz Palmer. The cats from Kenya have my legs but theirs are just darker and faster.smile. Smartty
Weather now looking better, Smartty, for opening day of worlds. New prediction for July 6 carries a high of only 95; that should be more tolerable for you, Jerry.
Thanks, Peter, for the update. Most of my 4 events are early. Sacramento mornings are cold buggers for those fleshless. The 10,000 has a 9:20 start. It could use a 7:00 start. I hit it on the 9th, 11th, 13th, and 17th. Holler at me. Smartty
Thanks, Jerry. BTW, I don’t always understand Missouri talk, but I think “Holler at me” means that I should say something to you/about you while you are running your 4 races.
That will be hard for me to do, Smartty, because I will be in Virginia during Worlds. I was not among the announcers selected for the big meet; I received notice of my rejection last month.
Go Smartty! Go!
Peter, we’ll miss you in Sacramento. I’m not sure how they could justify not selecting you as an announcer, but I hope you can make it to Hartshorne in January.
Thank you, Scott. I will make it to Hartshorne Mile if selected. I would have made it to Sacramento if selected for Worlds, would have made it to Humble (Texas) if selected for Sr Games, etc.
In short, it’s all about selecting me.
The billhilly lingo here in the deep woods of Missouri is rough on me. Their English is a variation, if you catch my drift. Mainly, “Holler at me” means to say “hello”. You’ll be missed, Peter. Will we see you at Berea? Smartty
I’ve lived all over, Smartty, even Kentucky, but Missour-uh is not one of my specialties. I thought you were referring to announcing, Jerry, but apparently you meant greeting you in person. My bad.
There is a small chance (<8%) that I will be in Berea.
PT
Peter, we ALWAYS want you on the mic. That’s 1st and foremost. I’ll look for you when I see you coming. Smartty
Please note that my long-time friend, Jerry Smartt, American Runner, passed away peacefully at his home in Warsaw, MO, this morning at 12:30. Jerry ran all over the world and where he ran, he made friends, so Jerry will be missed on each continent.
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