By Mitchell Todorov
It’s the crack of dawn. Most people are still asleep, or if they’re awake, they’re having a leisurely cup of coffee or eating breakfast.
A fit man does a series of leg swings and dynamic stretches by his car as he prepares for a Saturday morning run. He’ll run three to four miles or more, depending on his training schedule, on the dirt trails of Brunswick Forest before circling back to join the others in the Saturday morning group for their usual 8-10 mile weekly long run. This man is Dennis Deasy; he’s in his 70s and has been preparing to run his first marathon since 1991, his 47th one.
Dennis Deasy has been an outstanding distance runner for decades, an example of hard work and dedication to the sport. That he still runs at such a level is a testament to goal setting and not putting limits on human capacity. Most avid runners, myself included, suffer from periods of burnout, especially after college, but not Dennis. After completing high school, where he was a sprinter, and finishing his undergraduate degree at SUNY Oneonta, he caught a second wind of the running bug, which has not let up since. He attributes this second wind and newfound passion for the sport of distance running to his start in coaching a mere year after finishing at SUNY Oneonta. He was only 22 and coached for another 37 years, helping his teams achieve countless titles.
People who know Dennis, especially those who run with him, quickly understand that he is a natural coach. He is always available to advise novice runners and experienced marathoners on technique, training plans, and how to manage the dings and injuries that can occur. Many of his runners still stay in touch with him and credit him for their athletic and life success.
As a teacher and coach in New York, he had a routine set up where he could run to work. “I could drive there one day, leave clothes, and then run home. And the next morning, I could run back. The school was around fifteen miles from my house,” Deasy told me. “I was just running a lot of mileage. I mean, in those early years, I was running 60 to 100 miles a week.”
During this period, Deasy achieved personal records (PRs) of 2:52 in the marathon, 1:22 in the half marathon, and 36:54 in the 10k. He ran the NYC marathon in 1973, when the field numbered around 300 participants.
Though he took a brief step back from running after retiring and moving south, Dennis found new inspiration through a running partner, Tracy Meyerson. Joining the local Road Runners Club, Dennis reconnected with the joy of running, largely thanks to Tracy’s encouragement. She reignited his competitive spirit. Together, they ran numerous races, motivating each other to maintain impressive paces.
“She was the one who got me going again,” Dennis says, reflecting on their partnership. Despite initially resisting the idea of running another half-marathon, Tracy convinced him otherwise. Now, decades later, Dennis is preparing to run the New York City Marathon alongside his new training partner, Shawn MacPherson. He credits his passion and mental stamina in the sport to loyal and competitive running partners.
Dennis’s story is not just one of personal achievement but of community and inspiration. Since turning 72, he has run a 1:42 half marathon and a 46:45 10k. A familiar and bright presence in the running community, Dennis is a fixture at Monday night Hi-Wire and Tuesday night Waterline Brewery runs. He continues to adapt, using modern technology like a Garmin watch to fine-tune his training. One of his secrets? A running playlist featuring upbeat tracks from Caro Emerald. People say they can tell that when his running tempo picks up, he’s tuned into a particularly fast song. He appreciates the support and camaraderie of the Wilmington Road Runners Club over the years. He enjoys competing in the club’s annual Battle at the Border.
As Dennis prepares for his first marathon in nearly 35 years, his story is a powerful reminder that age is just a number. Whether or not he sets a new record in the upcoming race, Dennis Deasy’s journey is already a monumental success, inspiring us all to lace up our running shoes and chase our own dreams. It’s never too late. You’re never too old. From the wise words of Dennis: “Just get out there and run. Have fun.”
