The SCR Hall of Fame is intended to recognize Space Coast Runners accomplishments as runners and/or their contributions to the Space Coast Runners Club. The 19th Hall of Fame inductee goes to someone who has and continues to excel in both of these areas. Like most of our previous inductee’s, this one is overdue. To some degree it is understandable why this year’s inductee has been overlooked since most of what he does is in the background, or at least that is the way it appears to me.
When Dick White started running in his early 20’s to stay in shape for tennis, he hadn’t planned on running a marathon much less one in each of the 50 states and Washington, DC. The same was true when he met Marlene in 1993, but in December of 1994 Dick ran his first marathon, the defunct Brandon Marathon. 60 marathons and 17 years and 5 months later, on May 20, 2012, Dick completed the Cleveland Marathon and his quest of completing a marathon in each of the 50 states and Washington DC.
Dick ran dozens of triathlons including The Great Floridian iron-distance in Clermont in 1998. Besides his 60 marathon, Dick has completed many races from 5K through 30K including quite a few half marathons, too many to mention here. One of Dick’s proudest races took place in 1999, when he ran the Ed Root 5K in New Smyrna Beach, pushing Rachel in a jogger in the 10K and placing in his age group. He then ran the 5K and won it outright. He also qualified and ran the 100th running of the Boston Marathon.
Dick has a long list of races he supports annually. His responsibilities include course set up and take down, water station set up and take down and clean up as well as water station volunteer coordination. He is also a cash sponsor at these races:
- Eye of the Dragon 10K – 10 years
- Space Coast Art Festival Turkey Trot – 5 years
- Space Coast Classic – 6 years
- Freedom 7’s races – 7 years
- Cocoa Beach High School Cross Country
He also volunteers at Lucky Leprechaun, Space Walk of Fame, Space Coast Marathon, Fall Into Winter, Cocoa Beach Triathlon, and new this year, the RocketMan Triathlon as a bike ambassador.
He mans the SCR booth at expos and area races to promote the SCR club and upcoming events. When SCR was timing races, he often volunteered as a timer. He also used to help Rebecca Sparks with her race series when she had the Up and Running store. When Rachel was in elementary school, he volunteered with the Mileage Running Club.
Dick is currently running for his 5th year as a Space Coast Board member. And finally, Dick was the Golden Shoe recipient in 2012. I am honored to nominate Dick White as the 19th inducetee into the Space Coast Runners Hall of Fame. Nominated and submitted by Marty Winkel