Frank Bozanich
Reno Nev.
5-20-1944
-------------------------------
I know that I am over 150,000 miles since the 1960's. I
estimated my 60's miles as I didn't keep great records then and I know
that I covered less than 300 miles in 1969 as I was in Vietnam as a
Marine Lt. and had literally no time to run as I was on the front lines
most of the 13 months. I ran high school and college track and then
started running road and cross country in 1967 while teaching school
before going into the Marines in Sept of 67 and into combat in late
1968. I figured at least 3000 miles in those yrs and then from 1970 in
at 148, 810 miles.
I started my athletic career as a sprinter and wrestler in high school
(Anacortes, Wa) and college (Skagit Valley CC and Eastern Washington
University. Upon graduation I taught high school in Dayton, Wa. where
I also coached football, wrestling, and track. At the end of my year I
made a career move and joined the United States Marine Corps where
I remained for 12 years. Upon leaving the Marine Corps I started my
Law Enforcement career that lasted until my retirement in 2009. My
long distance running truly started upon my return from Vietnam in
late 1969. I was stationed at Camp Lejuene, NC and began running
longer to build my endurance. I ran my first marathon in Jan of 1972
at the Duraleigh Marathon and finished 4th in 2:42. I continued to run
various distances from 1 mile to the marathon and in September of 1974
I ran my first ultra marathon, the National AAU 50 km championships
in Kent, Wa. I finished 3rd overall in 3:02. I then ran my second ultra
marathon in Sept ‘76, a 50 miler on a dirt track in Santa Monica,
Ca, I won the race in 5:30 and 2 months later won the AAU National
Championships for 50 miles on the road in New York City in a time of
5:36. I went on to win two more 50 mile championships and two 100
km championships. I still continue to run ultra marathons at the age of
66 and usually win my age groups. I have run over 100 marathons and
over 125 ultra marathons thus far in lifetime. In 2010 I have run three
50 km, winning the over 60 age in all three and placing 5th overall in
one.