Some people see running as a chore, while others use it to burn off their latest caloric indulgence. For veteran runner, sports writer and marathoner Joe Henderson, running has become something more — a necessity.
“For the last 25 years, it’s been the first thing I’ve done in the morning,” Henderson said. “Not running would be like not brushing my teeth or not eating breakfast.”
Henderson’s running career started by default. As a young man, he wanted to play attention-grabbing glamour sports, and tried them all. He didn’t run until his freshman year in high school, despite the fact that he came from a family of
collegiate runners.
Henderson started running and competing in the first week of his career. As a freshman, he qualified for the state track and field meet, and after high school he accepted a four-year athletic scholarship to Drake in Des Moines, Iowa.
Henderson said he learned quickly that his personality was more suited to the solo sport of running than contact sports where athletes “knock heads” with one another.
“In running, it’s you against yourself, the clock and the elements,” he said.
Now, 47 years after his first race,
Henderson’s pace is still going strong. He has run more than 700 races and finished
48 marathons.
“I’ve seen generations of runners come and go. The thing I’m proud of most now is having had all these years (of running),” he said.
Henderson’s favorite local run is at Alton Baker Park along Pre’s Trail. He estimated he has run there at least 1,000 times.
His favorite race is the Boston Marathon.
“I like the Boston Marathon because it’s Boston. It’s the most historic marathon in the world and not just one anyone can run. You have to qualify,” he said, modestly mentioning that he’s a four-time finisher.
For the last five years, Henderson has also taught running at the University. He’s challenged the school’s running elite and novice newcomers in his Jog-Run, 5K and 10K training classes that meet twice a week, early in the morning. For the dedicated runners who wake in time to lace up their sneakers, the class can greatly improve their
running abilities.
For Henderson, the benefits are just as great.
“It’s the single most satisfying thing I do as far as work goes,”
he said.
Henderson is utilizing all of his skills in his latest endeavor as
the head of the new marathon
training group for Eugene Running Company. The store, located at
116 Oakway Center, is dedicated to helping new and veteran runners enjoy the sport.
Henderson’s group started in January and will target the Newport Marathon in early June and the Portland Marathon in October. The store acts as both the starting and finishing line for their lengthy Sunday training runs along the riverside bike paths.
The spring segment of the training program takes off March 13 and will peak with a 20- to 22-mile run. The payoff: the 26.22 mile Newport Marathon on June 4.
“Training is the big challenge. The race day is graduation day. That’s when all the excitement comes,” Henderson said.
Training for a goal months in advance can be difficult with all the injuries, illnesses and life conflicts that exist to discourage steady training. For a $100 fee, the group’s runners will benefit from team support to run through these trials and coaching from a man who has authored over
25 books and who worked as an editor and columnist at Runner’s World for 30 years. They will also receive
a copy of Henderson’s book “Marathon Training,” a team uniform and in-store discounts at Eugene Running Company.
“The response to his training program has been very enthusiastic,” said Michael Black, owner of Eugene Running Company. “Many runners have looked up to him for years and are very happy to have the opportunity to meet and work with him.”
Henderson said training and running a race with a group is helpful, even for individuals who have completed a marathon going solo.
“They’ve trained on their own, and it’s a difficult challenge to wake up on a Sunday morning and think of running 20-some miles on their own,” he said.
For interested students, the
15-person group still has space. The ages span from 14 to 70 and the group is evenly split between genders. Most runners will be able to find someone close to their ability level to train with. Henderson’s sole request is that runners have recently completed a 10-mile run before they sign up for the training.
Henderson is a living legend to the lessons he teaches in his training. Fit and active after more races than most people care to think about, he’s an ideal teacher to introduce students to the challenges, and the addiction, of running.
For more information
Contact the Eugene Running Company at 344-6399
or e-mail Joe Henderson at [email protected]

[email protected]