2023 Passing:
Bill Welsh (1929-2023)
Dave Vogel (1923-2023)
Also Gone but Never Forgotten:
Abe Assa (NA-2020)
Joseph Burns (1929-2018)
John Chodes (1939-2020)
Tom Fleming (1951-2017)
Jim O’Connell (NA-2018)
Norb Sander (1942-2017)
Alan Steinfeld (1946-2017)
Edward Winrow (1937-2020)
More names to follow as we develop an NYRR First Generation Honor Roll.
These pioneers raced on the historic Macombs Dam Park course in the Bronx between 1958 – 1972. The course that gave birth to NYRR then called Road Runners Club: New York Association (RRC: NYA). These individuals are the direct descendants of RRC: NYA leadership that helped invent many aspects the sport enjoys worldwide today. These are the individuals who shaped this everlasting legacy of New York Road Runners.
Both Nina Kuscsik and Vince Chiappetta followed the lead set by Aldo Scandurra – volunteering their time and taking leadership positions in local and national Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and Road Runners Club of American (RRCA) committees. They each worked tirelessly as chairs of committees that developed the initial governing standards of the sport during the 1960s, early 1970s, and thereafter.
Aldo said this in a 1981 article “History of Long Distance and Road Racing” in Long Island Running News. “New York City was the key area that gave the RRCA strength. It had the strength to set up rules of competition and bypass the system. It had strong speakers with a purpose to spread the gospel of road running.”
Aldo in a 1978 letter to Fred Lebow said this:
“I would like to point out to you that running as we know it today was formulated in the period 1950-1960, and that very little was done after 1960 except to put into effect ideas developed in the 1950s.”
Just days after learning about the passing of Paul Fetscher we then heard the news about Nina. Paul is most likely NYRR’s most prolific road racer ever. One source stated he competed in over 2,000 races.
Paul Fetscher Obituary
Before there was a Nina Kuscsik, Julia Chase Brand, Sara Mae Berman, Bobbi Gibb and Kathrine Switzer, there was Chris McKenzie (1931-2025) and Grace Butcher (1934). Both Chris and Grace in 1957 were presenting a case to the AAU in New York and Ohio fighting for women’s right to compete at distances beyond 220 yards. Chris died on April 17th.
The sport of long distance road running and track and field has done a poor job of preserving its great history. Gary Meltzer was a champion of running history. He did research and conducted oral history interviews with athletes and officials. Gary passed on April 24th.
If you were fortunate to know these New York running pioneers, you would understand how special and good human beings they all were. Their spirits will always be with us.
Learn more about Nina from these articles:
Nina Kuscsik Celebration of Life – July 12th: RSVP
Nina Kuscsik Obituary:
New York Times – Jere Longman:
Runners World – Roger Robinson:
Jacqueline Hansen Tribute:
Kathrine Switzer Tribute:
Gary Cohen Interview:
Washington Post Obituary