Before They Run the Rock, A Race Back in Time

Patrick Michels, seizing any opportunity to get out of the office, is heading to Fair Park at 2 p.m. for some mayoral announcement in advance of Saturday's throwing of the Fair Park Holiday in advance of Sunday's running of the Metro PCS Dallas White Rock Marathon (got that?). Which isn't...

By Robert Wilonsky

November 30, 2010

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Patrick Michels, seizing any opportunity to get out of the office, is heading to Fair Park at 2 p.m. for some mayoral announcement in advance of Saturday's throwing of the Fair Park Holiday in advance of Sunday's running of the Metro PCS Dallas White Rock Marathon (got that?). Which isn't the point, except to say that Rusty Williams -- author of Historic Photos of Dallas in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, a fine gift for this or any other holiday season -- was kind enough to send us this photo late last night. Writes Rusty, the photo was taken at the start line of the second running of The Rock 38 years ago:

The 1972 marathon drew 144 starters (compared to the 22,000 expected this year). The sponsoring organization was the Dallas Cross Country Club. The night before the event, runners gathered at the Majestic Steak House for a carbo-loading meal. And a 19-year-old from NTSU finished first in 2 hours, 23 minutes, 18 seconds.

I told Rusty I'd trade him -- a photo for a plug. So here goes: Rusty, who don't run no marathons, will be signing copies of Historic Photos of Dallas and displaying some photos at this Plano Barnes & Noble on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m and again on December 8 at the NorthPark Neimans from 2 to 4 p.m.

Robert Wilonsky

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