The running community is special.
They’re fit, but friendly. They’re competitive, but close. They run for various reasons — to win a race, do their personal best, or simply finish — and at various paces, but they all love to run.
And they don’t get a lot of publicity.
For an activity that’s been around for over 60 years, the Westport Road Runners races get very little attention.
Unless you’re near Compo, Burying Hill Beach or Longshore on a Saturday morning, you don’t know the long-running (ho ho) series even exists.
The series of 10 races — each longer than the week before — culminates in a 10-miler the Saturday before Labor Day.
Road Runners was one of the only such events when it began in the 1960s. The Labor Day race was particularly popular, attracting some of the top athletes in the Northeast.
Westport’s Parks & Recreation Department has sponsored Road Runners since its inception. Co-sponsors now include Pequot Runners and Fleet Feet. The selectwoman’s office and Police Department offer important assistance.
And they’re off! The start of a Westport Road Runner race.
But the man making it work for nearly all that time — all but 3 of its 62 years — is Laddie Lawrence.
A star runner in Staples High School’s Class of 1964 — and now, for well over 50 years — the Wreckers’ cross country, indoor and outdoor track coach — he does it all.
He sets up the course, oversees every aspect of each race, then cleans up. There would be no Road Runners without Laddie Lawrence.
He just finished his 59th year as Road Runners director. If that sounds like a long time: It is.
Lawrence was recently recognized as the longest-serving race director in the world by Road Race Management Inc.
Laddie Lawrence, at a Road Runner race finish.
Of course, he cannot do it all himself.
Regulars who have served for years include Jim Gerweck, Charlie Wolgast, Ray Prezkop, Dave Parise, Anne Parise and Mary Parise.
This year’s group of recent alumni or current Staples athletes includes Morgan Samuel, Will Boberski, Oliver Samuel, Jonas Varnas, Michael Bernier, Ben Buchalter, Alex Price, Luke Rabacs, Daisy Seaborne, Preston Siroka, Nate Hordon, Mikhail Mikhalchuk, Oliver Galin, Connor O’Neill and Samuel Zwick Lavinsky.
All are today’s Unsung Heroes.
But Laddie Lawrence wins this week’s gold.
(Unsung Hero is a weekly “06880” feature. To nominate a hero, email 06880blog@gmail.com. To support our work, please click here. Thank you!)
Well deserved! Laddie is an unsung hero everyday in my book!
Laddie Lawrence is my classmate. I love Laddie. He was my daughter’s Health/Sex Ed teacher in HS, used to embarrass her by saying, “I went to school with your Mom.” We were all so proud and many of us attended the commemoration for naming a TRACK for Laddie. Our beloved Coach Lane made it down the hill in hot-hot sun to be there too. LADDIE has been an invaluable member of our STAPLES ’64 CLASS REUNION TEAM–a year long effort. He is the BEST EVER! On occasion I bump into him as he bikes, following his team, and I walk, at Bedford Middle to Staples HS–what was WAKEMAN’S FARM LAND given on a handshake to the town many years ago. Knowing Laddie and working with him has been joyful and easy!
Laddie not only steward the men’s Cross Country team to multiple victories during his illustrious career as a coach at Staples HS but he touched the lives of high schoolers on and off the track in a very special, genuine and meaningful way. My daughters Lauren and Christie who ran track and field @ Staples would often comment how great a coach Laddie is as well as a real testament to the sport that he dedicated his career to and to this day remains truly passionate about making a positive difference as a coach, mentor and teacher of the sport he so loves. Laddie you are an inspiration to everyone who’s had the pleasure of knowing you and thanks to Dan for your well deserved Unsung Hero recognition! Congratulations!
Living near Compo for the past six years, I’ve seen Laddie out on the roads around Compo & Longshore on a Thursday or Friday, dutifully marking the course for that Saturday’s race. Although I sadly needed to hang up my running shoes after the 2018 season, I consider Laddie Lawrence to be legendary! It’s hard to comprehend that his stewardship of the summer series extends back significantly beyond my 40 year running ‘career’.
Thank you Laddie for your incomprehensible public service!!