With the Olympic track and field trials starting at the University of Oregon I’ve been thinking about …how running helped shape my world in a huge way. Call it fate, serendipity, or just a happy accident, if it wasn’t for running I would never have met Marla. Let me take you on a journey about my running…and family. The photo above is me in front of the old dirt track at Pleasant Hill High School.

If I have running DNA it probably came from my father who ran track in high school.

This is my dad pictured in his Alameda High School yearbook.

I came to running track in a somewhat ironic way. In 8th grade I tried out for a track team in the sprints and sadly didn’t make it. I hung up the running shoes and filed this experience as just another chapter in my young life. The next year as a freshman in High School the P.E. teacher had us run a lap on the track. I must have run well as the teacher said,…”Gentry, you need to talk to Coach McGuire about running track.” I did pretty well and received a varsity letter as a freshman.

I started receiving good press from the Bay Area newspapers.

My favorite event was the 440 yard run. (Now the 400m)

I had a fortuitous race at the Pacific Amateur Association championships as a junior in High School where I ran 48.2 for the 440 yard run, the 18th fastest time in the country.

I began receiving recruitment letters from schools like U.S.C., Berkeley, and from Bill Bowerman at the University of Oregon. My high school coach was an alum at the University of The Pacific, a private school in Stockton California, and with the scholarship, this was my choice.

My track career at the Pacific was a little up and down due to a few injuries and having to hold down a few jobs at the same time. I was still voted the team captain for three straight years and outstanding performer.

I always loved our 4 x 100 and our 4 x 440 relays!

A great U.O.P memory!

The stars were in perfect alignment at University because I went out with this sensational girl on a blind date. Her name was Marla! Without a running scholarship this would never have happened! The photo above is at a formal a year later.

In another 2 years we were engaged!

Marla’s dad, Harry, marches her down the aisle.

I continued running after we were married with road races, a stint with “masters” track, and triathlons. The wear and tear on the knees pushed me to give up running and switch to cycling. I loved this tie-dyed running top!

Without running this wouldn’t have happened! Our fabulous family!

Oops, I can’t forget our oldest daughter, Lisa, who took the family picture.

I ran with our daughter Lisa when she was young. This was a father- daughter race at Washington Park.

I’m sure Lisa remembers this father-daughter race! Stacy and I ran it as well.

Both daughters were great athletes with swimming their top sport. Stacy began swimming, cycling, and running after graduation from Southern Methodist University. She trained very hard and truly excelled as a top level triathlete. The photo above is Stacy finishing the running leg at the World Triathlon Championships on Madeira Island, Portugal in 2004.

Our daughter Lisa’s boys, Paxton and Logan, ran track and cross country.

I’ll fast forward to 2021 and to my grandson Vaughan on the right. He just finished his freshman year in High School and you guessed it,…he LOVES the 400 meter run! He has inherited his Mom’s running DNA,…and a little from me as well.

Vaughan, Stacy, and I will be in Eugene for a few days of the 2021 Olympic Track and Field Trials. COVID resulted in a postponement of the 2020 Olympics and the track trials. We can’t wait to sit in the brand new stands of the $270 million Hayward Field. I know I will silently reflect on my own track career and the many gifts it bestowed on me. I am very grateful.

There is a bronze statue of Bill Bowerman at Hayward Field. Bill went on to co-found Nike. I wish I still had his Oregon recruitment letter he sent me.

We will be focused on watching Michael Norman our best hope to qualify for the 400 meters. I can’t wait. You can watch the excitement on NBC.

Photos: 1-20 Dick Gentry. Not to be used without permission.