Tribute to 94 year old marathoner Ernie Van Leeuwen

Ernest Van Leeuwen, 94, who for the last several years had been the oldest man in the field at the Los Angeles Marathon, died in his sleep Friday at his Encino home, said his wife, Nina. He had a stroke several weeks ago, causing him to miss this year's race, which would have been his 13th.

Van Leeuwen, who took up distance running in his 50s after reading a magazine article about the health benefits of physical fitness, watched the March 4 race on television. In 2006 he was awarded the L.A. Marathon's annual courage award.

Van Leeuwen didn't just compete in marathons, he finished them, often first in the 80-and-over age group, though the turnout is generally low in that category. His best time was 6 hours 6 minutes, and he finished the 2006 race in 9:04:11.

Twice he was named USA Track and Field's Masters Long Distance Running Outstanding Male Athlete, in 1998 and 2003.

Born Dec. 30, 1912, in Grand Rapids, Mich., Van Leeuwen grew up in Jackson, Wyo., where he enjoyed hiking the Grand Teton range. He earned a degree in electrical engineering from UC Berkeley and worked in the aircraft industry. He ran an audio-video recording business in Hollywood for many years.

He also formed a grass-roots nonprofit organization called Earth Repair Service aimed at educating the public about environmental issues.

Category:

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• marathon
• runner
• Los
• Angeles
• Marathon
• Ernie
• Van
• Leeuwen

[philipms]

For more info on Ernie and a complete bio see journeytomylamarathon dot com

[pabanil]

Age is just a number. The only thing that stop you is your mind! Keep on running!

[east2525]

I worked for Ernie in 1953 at his Magnetic Recorders Co. Lost track of him for the last 55 years and happy to have found this posting.

[mrspeel7]

@grenouil1970 Forgive my attempt at French: Votre coeur est bon!

[mrspeel7]

Oh my goodness! I just discovered this vid while seeking L.A. Marathon 2011 vids.

I loved Ernie; I ran with him, he was the quintessential gentleman. I was lucky to have known him.

As a Roadrunner, I joined Ernie on his birthday run.

At the next L.A. Marathon, so many of us wore "94" on our caps, our arms - we even wore bibs on our backs which read, "We (heart) Ernie."

It was a pleasure to talk about Ernie, whenever fellow runners asked about the bib.

I still sometimes see "94" on caps today...

[kyler187]

Thats incredible.

[wojtek0000]

"save the planet"? wtf did she say?

[josielpontocom]

I'm very sorry for not having known him personally!

[pegmorris]

This is the best man I've ever known. I worked for him in the late 70's and early eighties.. He was an inspreation.. Love u Earnie Peg

[jamesrunsalot]

AMAZING 94 years old, very inspirational Im in 8th grade and i cant run a marathon and this guy can. absolutely amazing, great example.