Run Like Ted Corbitt

Knowing our history is an important part of changing our future, which is why this next activity will teach us about some of our nation’s most influential Black athletes.

Most athletes from any sport will tell you that running is an important part of their training, and there has never been a bigger advocate for the sport of running than Theodore “Ted” Corbitt. Ted, known as “the father of long-distance running,” who made history to become the first African American to represent the USA in the Olympic Marathon at the 1952 Games in Helsinki, Finland!

Ted Corbitt running in the 54-mile London to Brighton race in 1962

In 1958, Ted, who once held the American record in the 40-mile, the 50-mile, and even the 100-mile distance, co-founded New York Road Runners and served as the organization’s first president.

It was Ted’s drive and commitment to make running a sport for people of all races, ages, and abilities that has made running a level playing field for all of us. Ted’s initiative to organize the local running community paved the way for the world’s largest marathon, the TCS New York City Marathon, and paved the way for Rising New York Road Runners.

In honor of Ted, let’s join two-time Puerto Rican Olympian Beverly Ramos in a fun warm-up that highlights Ted, and other athletic gamechangers, before we head out the door to run like Ted!

It does not matter how fast you run or how far you go—what is important is that you come together with Rising New York Road Runners from across the globe and learn along the way!

To learn more about these trailblazing athletes, and many others, check out ESPN’s The Undefeated, the premier platform for exploring the intersections of race, sports, and culture.