Jerry Dunn (runner)

Jerry Alan Dunn (born January 29, 1946) is an American athlete dubbed "America's Marathon Man" by Jim Murray of the LA Times. His running career began in 1975 and has spanned 48 years, breaking world records along the way and seeing the creation of nationally acclaimed events.

Early life

Dunn was 18 years old when his father died of a coronary heart attack, courtesy of an unhealthy lifestyle. Dunn attributes this event to be a precursor to what would become a 25-year drinking career and evolution into a high-functioning alcoholic.

At age 29, he moved to Sarasota, FL, to build and manage a very successful restaurant operation. He also answered a pesky challenge by a lifeguard friend to run along the beach with him and the other lifeguards on their daily training runs.  He did so for a half mile, barefoot, and from that moment on he was a running convert.

On Dunn's 37th birthday, he finally admitted to having a problem with alcohol.  "I turned to running as my replacement addiction," Dunn says, "and I haven't stopped since then. Over the years, my passion for running has led me to a career, and a new lifestyle."

Running Accolades

• 1981 – Ran the Philadelphia Marathon, Dunn's first sanctioned marathon. (3:34:22)
• 1989 – Ran a benefit run for Habitat for Humanity titled Across the State in 28.  Dunn ran from the Illinois/Indiana state line to the Indiana/Ohio state line, 50 mi per day for 3 days.

• 1991 - Dunn ran a benefit run for Habitat for Humanity titled Shore to Shore in 104'.  It consisted of a marathon a day, 6 days a week for 15 weeks, which got him from San Francisco to DC in 104 days.  He did have to cycle a portion of the trek due to injuries. For his efforts he earned a personal audience with President Jimmy Carter.
• 1993 – Dunn ran 104 marathons in a year, breaking the then-current world record of 101.
• 1996 – Ran the Boston Marathon course each morning for 25 days prior to the 100th running of the Boston Marathon and completed his Marathon of Marathons by toeing the line of THE RUN OF THE CENTURY.
• 1997 – Ran the LA Marathon for 14 days straight prior to the 15th anniversary of the Los Angeles Marathon, running number 15 on race day.
• 1998 – Again, ran the L A Marathon course for 15 days in a row before running the event's 16th anniversary.
• 1998 – For the 28 days, prior to the 29th Anniversary of The NYC Marathon, Dunn did the original NYC Marathon course in Central Park. On race day he ran the world renowned NYC Marathon's 29th edition for his 29th day in a row. Setting a new personal best for consecutive days running a marathon.
• 200 in 2000 – Upping the ante, Dunn set a goal to run 200 marathons in the year 2000. All of which were run on each city's actual course. His fastest time completed was on the 200th day. It was the HOPS Marathon by Tampa Bay in 4:05:30. While he fell short of his 200 marathon goal, Dunn still completed 186 marathons.... at age 54...in one calendar year.
• 2006 – Dunn ran 60 miles on his 60th birthday, raising money for a climbing wall at the local middle school.
• 2007 – Dunn was awarded the Special Achievement Award from South Dakota's Black Hills, Badlands & Lakes Association for his creation of the Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon and Lean Horse Ultra Marathons, bringing international acclaim and thousands of athletes to run the Mickelson Trail of the Black Hills.
• 2011 – Dunn ran 65 miles on his 65th birthday.
• 2016 – Dunn ran 70K in honor of his 70th birthday on the day of the Lean Horse Ultra Marathon<. Generating funds for the South Dakota Special Olympics Baseball program.