Larry Olsen: 1946 - 2009

Larry Olsen, one of the most revered runners in New England, passed away Sunday, reportedly from a heart attack suffered while running in his hometown of Millis. He was 63, and still full of competitive spirit and love for the sport.

No words that I write can adequately express what a gigantic figure Olsen was in the New England running community. Anyone who ran against him knew how good he was, how tough he was, but also how much he cared for his fellow runners. As for his running accomplishments, he won countless races and set numerous U.S. age-group records, including running 53:40 for 10 miles at age 50, and most recently running 43:30 for 12K at age 60 in the USATF-NE championship race in Bedford. I read on his club's web site that in over 100 New England championship races, Larry won his age group an astonishing 62 times.

But it wasn't just that he won races and set records, it was how he did it, with a determination and fearlessness that inspired all of us to be a little tougher, work a little harder, aim a little higher.

For the past 14 years, Larry worked as an assistant and then head girls coach at Hopedale High School. An article in Monday's Metrowest Daily News includes tributes from his friend and Hopedale boys coach Joe Drugan:

"Larry really knew how to develop student-athletes," said Drugan. "A lot of the kids who come to cross country are kids who didn't make it in soccer, didn't make it in softball, didn't make it in a lot of other sports. Larry would develop those kids... [He] really loved the kids. People have no idea all the things Larry did for the kids. The community is going to miss him and the student-athletes are certainly going to miss him.... We didn't always agree as coaches. In fact, there were times we'd fight like cats and dogs. But he was a true friend. If you're lucky you'll have a handful of friends like Larry in your life. I was that lucky."