My friend Dick Beardsley visited Idaho for the first time this week. On Tuesday night, Dick gave an inspirational talk here in Boise at The Pursuit. He continues to inspire people everywhere he goes with his message of hope and perseverance. 

Cary Lisota of the Chicago Tri Club says of Dick: “I’ve heard Dick Beardsley speak nearly a dozen times and each time I am left more inspired than the time before.  Dick has a way of making me laugh and cry my eyes out all at once, all while inspiring me to immediately sign up for my next challenge! He has an amazing ability to reach each and every person in his audience – whether they’ve run 2 dozen marathons or haven’t an athletic fiber in their body, each and every person walks out of his talk inspired to be great. His honesty and simple humanness makes him one of the greatest.  I can’t wait to hear him again.”

Dick Beardsley is a champion – in running and in life. Although his competitive running career as an elite athlete ended in 1988, Dick is the 3rd fastest American born runner and he still has the 5th fastest U.S. men’s marathon time in history. Best known for his 1982 Boston Marathon “Duel in the Sun” with Alberto Salazar, Dick is also a two-time Olympic Trials Marathon qualifier. He is a two-time winner and course record holder of the Grandma’s Marathon in Duluth, Minnesota and has won the London and Napa Valley marathons. But Dick is more than a running champion. He is a fighter. After a series of near-fatal accidents, an addiction to prescription drugs, and a journey of self-discovery, Dick has turned his life around. Today, Dick is enjoying his running more than ever.

Thanks to the folks at Shu’s Idaho Running Company, Therapeutic Associates Physical Therapy, Upchurch Door & Window Installs, KBOI radio, and KTVB Channel 7.