Tom started running in high school and when a senior he ran the Boston Marathon, finishing 112th overall with a time of 2:37. That was the first year that the Boston Marathon had over 1,000 entrants, an unheard of number for a road race in those days. As a college student attending Duke, Tom competed on the cross country and track teams. He ran a sub 9 minute indoor 2 miler in his junior year. Tom continued to train and race while in medical school and residency. While doing his residency in Houston in 1978, Tom finished 5th overall in the Houston Marathon with a PR of 2:25. Tom was also running sub 31 minutes in the 10K and ran a 1:39 in the 30K.
Tom and Mary (who he met and married while living in Houston) moved to the Space Coast in 1982 and became involved with the Space Coast Runners Club. Tom ran in many of the SCR and Orlando races as well as other out-of-town events where Tom set a few more PRs. He ran a 47:56 15K and a 1:08 half marathon.
1984 found Tom as the race director for the Space Coast Marathon. This was the year that Budweiser was the main sponsor which created a slight problem because the race was held at Brevard Community College (BCC) and alcohol was not allowed on campus. Tom also served on the Board of Directors from 1983 through 1994. He was involved with the club’s initial purchase of an overhead clock and for several years Tom’s garage served as the SCR storage unit. Tom was voted in as the SCR President for the 1989-90 season. It was under Tom’s Presidency that SCR purchased our first finish line printer timer, finish line chute equipment and moved all the equipment to a commercial storage unit. This was also the time when SCR started renting the finish line system and equipment to other organizations wanting to put on races locally as well as providing our expertise. This helped improve the quality of the races as well as raising some needed funds. Following Tom’s term as president, he assumed the responsibilities as the Newsletter editor. From approximately 1990 through 2000, Tom made his office available for the monthly SCR board meetings.
While researching Tom’s involvement, I did find out that contrary to the website acknowledging Harold Tucker as being “singularly responsible” for the purchase of the overhead digital clock, that the Board had some lively debates about the purchase. Harold, rest his soul, didn’t like to spend money to say the least and Tom even offered to put up some money himself. Harold eventually came around when the board figured out how to use the clock to make money for the club. This note is not meant to show any disrespect to Harold. Everyone knew that Harold knew about his passion to not spend money (example: the Bargain Beach 10K). I believe Harold would have a good laugh about the clock today.
Tom won the Master SCROY Series in 1993-94 and also was the Masters winner for the Clermont Triathlon spring series in 1993. Just a few of Tom’s other running highlights includ him winning the Pineapple Man Triathlon in 1993 or 1994. Tom won the Masters division at the Pineapple 10K in 1996 in 36:38 at age 44. Not too bad.
Tom stopped running at the end of the 1998 season because of a foot problem. He had surgery to repair some tendons in his ankle in 2001 and has been able to run sporadically and strictly for enjoyment and health aspects with little interest now in competition. In a recent conversation with Tom, he stated, “If there were betters sports medicine, shoes and orthotics when I was younger, I would have been a lot better off. 100 mile weeks take their toll.” At his last college reunion, Tom learned that only one other former teammate was able to run at all.
It is with all due respect that I nominate and request the SCR Board to install Tom Hoffman to the Space Coast Runners Hall of Fame. — Submitted by Marty Winkel
ABRIDGED
Tom became involved with the Space Coast Runners in 1982, serving on the Board of Directors from 1983 – 1994. He also head additional offices, including President, Space Coast Marathon Director and Newsletter Editor.
Tom’s running accomplishments include 5th overall in the 1978 Houston Marathon (2:25), and sub 31 minute 10K’s. Tom won the Master SCROY Series in 1993-94 and was the Masters winner for the Clermont Triathlon sprint series in 1993. Other highlights include winning the Pineapple 10K overall in 1989 and the Masters division at the Pineapple 10K in 1996 in 36:38 at age 44.