Ted Corbitt

Ted Corbitt has been called “The Father of American Distance Running”, for his efforts both as a competitor and an administrator. He ran competitively in Cincinnati in high school and later at the University of Cincinnati. After college he moved up to long-distance events and represented the United States in Helsinki in the marathon, finishing 44th. But he later moved up to ultramarathons and by his own count, ran 199 marathons or ultramarathons during his career. In 1957 Corbitt helped found the Road Runners Club of America, and one year later, founded and was the first President of the New York Road Runners Club. One of his contributions was establishing accurate guidelines for measuring road running courses. In 1998 he was among the first five athletes inducted into the U.S. National Distance Running Hall of Fame.

Corbitt earned a masters degree in physical therapy from New York University in 1950 and made his career in that field. He was the chief physical therapist at the International Center for the Disabled in Manhattan. He also taught PT at Columbia University and NYU, and continued working as a therapist into his 80s.

Personal Best: Mar – 2-28:06 (1956).