Episode 56 - Rod Dixon

Kia Ora Whanau. This week Eugene and Matt have the distinct pleasure of speaking to Rod Dixon. Rod is a legend in the sport of running - his highlight reel is simply incredible. Rod won an Olympic bronze medal in the 1972 Olympics in the 1500m and his incredible win at the New York Marathon in 1983 is a masterclass in running your own race, process, tenacity, and geometry. Rod also ran what was then the fifth-fastest 1500m of all time (3:33.89) in 1974 at the Christchurch Commonwealth Games (one of the best track races of all time); came a heart-breaking fourth in the 5000m at the 1976 Montreal Olympics, behind the unmatchable Lasse Viren; took 3rd place at the world cross country champs in 1982; and was a break-out star when road running began to take hold in the United States in the early 80s. Rod was at the vanguard of the move away from the amateur era, advocating for prize money for elite athletes on the circuit. Rod has often been named the world’s most versatile athlete. However, above all the shining light in Rod’s life is the KidsMarathon movement,which he leads with palpable joy. This is an exceptional conversation with an exceptional New Zealander. We talk about how motivating children through running a mile a day has massive flow on effects, we talk about Rod’s Ed Hillary moment, why his Olympic medal doesn’t look like everyone else’s, and that marathon victory. Enjoy.