7/14/2009
Name: Anthony “Tony” Reed
Sport Played:
I didn’t participate in organized sports at Webster. I don’t believe we had them back then. In high school, I ran cross country and track and played soccer. However, I continued to run long distances while at Webster. It wasn’t unusual for me to run from Webster to Washington U or from Forest Park to the Arch and back.
In 1982, I ran my first 26.2-mile marathon. In addition to running, I also completed 100K and 100-mile bicycle races. In June, 2007, I became the first Black in the world to run marathons on all seven continents. My adventures were chronicled in my book, Running Shoes Are Cheaper Than Insulin: Marathon Adventures On All Seven Continents. In February, 2009, I reached another milestone by finishing my 100th marathon. Runner’s World and Ebony are a couple of the publications that featured my accomplishments.
During this time period, I also won age group and weight division trophies in running and biathlons (run/bike events).
Major: Management and Mathematics
Graduation Year: 1978
Current Occupation: IT Consultant, Professional Speaker, Executive Director of the National Black Marathoners Association, and a member of the Dallas White Rock Marathon Board of Directors
Current Place of Residence: Dallas, TX
Family:
Deborah Valrie-Reed – wife (since 06/07/08), ordained minister, and triathlete
Justin & Kristen Reed – children
Janell, Jaulik, Jasmin & Jordan – bonus children
JaDen & Jael – bonus grandchildren
Favorite Movie: Black Orpheus (1958) and anything with Jennifer Lewis (She graduated from Webster in 1979.)
Most Memorable Event During Athletic Career at Webster:
We didn’t have organized sports during my studies at Webster. I’ve lots of memorable marathons; China’s Great Wall, Antarctica, and Kenya’s SafriCom Lewa Marathons. However, there was one US marathon that mentally prepared me for my adventures; the 2000 Walk of Fame Marathon in Lubbock, TX.
The race was held on September 3. The air was very dry. It felt like it was 80 degrees at the start of the race. And if you live in Texas, you know how rapidly things can heat up. The official high temperature for the day was 100 degrees. However, it felt like over 110 on the concert and asphalt roads. I couldn’t drink enough water to replace what I was losing. Three times during the race, I was lost. During the last mile, my entire leg cramped up. This was the only race where I walked across the finish line. It was my slowest marathon. However, I had won medals in both my age group and weight division.
It was just like struggling to earn a degree. You never know what surprises await you until you finish.