For nearly 20 years, starting in the early 60’s, Don Wahle was the single most important name in the Cincinnati running community. Through his efforts alone, in 1977, the Thanksgiving race stayed alive and grew from fewer than 50 runners to nearly 600. He started and directed the summer track series that continues to this date. He initiated the fall cross-country series that is still being held.

Now 73 years old, Don still runs more than 20 miles a week and runs in many of the local races year round. In addition, he and his wife, Ginny, bicycle over 3,000 miles annually
on their tandem bicycle. Remarkably, he does this although legally blind.

Don began his running career in 1945 while a student at Hughes High School. His high school coach, Paul Reichert, was very encouraging and inspiring, a major influence on his life-long love of running. He moved on to the University of Cincinnati, where another inspiring coach, Oliver Nikoloff, helped him break the mile run record, which had stood for over 25 years. He also broke the 2-mile run record. His times of 4:26.7 and 9:52.5, both stood as records for over 10 years after his graduation in 1953. He noted that UC runners are lucky today to have another inspiring coach, Bill Schnier.

Many can remember seeing Don in the 70’s and 80’s running his 6-mile daily route from his home in Oakley to his workplace in Amberley Village in the morning and returning in the evening. Having lost much of his sight and unable to drive, running became his means of transportation; no matter the weather. Friends along the way said they could set their clock by Don’s daily runs.

In a recent interview we asked Don to name his most memorable running experience. He picked an event, while in college, where he was matched against UC 440 yard dash record holder Bob MacVeigh, 880 yard record holder Ross Dunton and himself (the mile record holder). They raced for _ mile, on the track, and he won. His strategy: burn them out early so that can’t catch you at the end.

When asked after 60 years of running what stands out most, Don replied: “It’s mind-boggling to see the number of people that are running today. When you think there were 10,000 people in the Thanksgiving Day Race this year and when I ran in that race there were fewer than 10 runners one year, it is hard to believe” He further commented: “When I first began organizing races, it was my goal to get everybody running. Now it is happening.”

Don Wahle is a remarkable man and inspirational to many of us. We all owe him a debt of gratitude for the contribution he has made to Cincinnati running over these many years.