The Rich Mountain Racer
©
Copyright 2001
by Lin Stone
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The distance from Janssen Park in Mena Arkansas to the
Queen Wilhelmina State Park is 13.1 miles. I mention this because once upon a time there was a foot race between those two points, known as the Rich Mountain Classic.
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When Theodore P. Smith (a doctor of chiropractic at the West Arkansas Chiropractic Center in Mena) heard about the race he said it couldn't be done. Naturally he volunteered to run in the Rich Mountain Classic even though he was 59 years old at the time
it took place. He wasn't the only volunteer; Marathon runners from around the world were invited to participate.
Ted never felt like he had been cut out to be a long distance runner because he was a sprinter. In fact, back in 1951 he was among the top four hurdlers in the world. At a triangular meet with Abilene Christian and McMurray university Ted represented North Texas University. It was so cold at the meet that Ted ran the race in his warm up suit. He ran the 120 yard hurdle in 13.7 seconds The world's record of 13.6 seconds had been set just that year.
In 1952 Ted qualified in the NCCA to enter the Olympic trials for the World Olympics in Melbourne (Australia).
Since Ted was not a long distance runner he began practicing hard for the Rich Mountain Classic. "I would run at my normal running speed for 1 or 2 hundred yards, then I would sprint for a hundred."
Yes, that is as tough to do as it sounds like it is.
The actual race was worse than the practices. "The most heart-breaking part of the run was seeing those caution signs that said 15 Miles Per Hour was the maximum speed limit, and me knowing there was no way I would ever get a speeding ticket," Ted remembers.
The average runner sprints
Until the breath in him is gone,
But the champion has the iron will
That makes him carry on.For rest the average runner begs
When limp his muscles grow,
But the champion runs on leaden legs --
His spirit makes them go.The average man's complacent
When he's done his best to score,
But the champion Does his best
And then he does a little more.From The Champion. Poet unknown.
From Janssen Park to the Queen Wilhelmina State Park it is 13.1 miles -- up hill, downhill.
The winner of the race took one hour and twenty minutes to make it,
and at 59 years old, Ted came in second in his class. He made it in two hours and 48 minutes.
"It just happens there were only two people in my class," Ted admits. "But just getting
up that mountain was an accomplishment I'll always be proud of."
That was the last year the race was held, the Marathon runners felt that because this was such a difficult race their times weren't good, which affected their potential for being invited to the major meets they actually wanted to participate in.
Dr. Theodore P. Smith became known as The Rich Mountain Racer. He claims that he still runs at the crack of dawn every day to keep in shape, at the age of 71.
"Runs?" asks his wife Carol. "No. I think that actually he just sprints. From the living room to the dining room, he sprints!"
Could it be The Rich Mountain Racer is on a downhill slide? "No way Jose," says those younger men trying to keep up with him in cutting wood and putting up pole barns.
Dr. Ted is a successful doctor of chiropractic. My left shoulder had been needing cortisone shots on a regular basis for years, and Dr. Ted had it working normally again in less than three minutes. His phone number is 479 394-2323
Call him now and The Rich Mountain Racer will come sprinting.
Be like me and his
wife though, and
be sure to set the table -- before you call.