Patti Catalano Dillon, Pt. 2

In the fall of 1976, Patti Catalano Dillon ran her first marathon.She had been running for just 6 months but won the race with a time of 2:53. Training in “knock off” earth shoes, still smoking and knowing nothing about running, she won that day and her illustrious albeit dramatic career began. In her first 10K she placed 2nd behind Olympian Lynn Jennings at the Boston Bonne Belle in 34:50. Breaking WR after WR in the 30K, the 20K, and the ½ marathon, Catalano Dillon had 55 career wins, many at national and international races. She was the first American woman to go under 33 minutes in the 10K, and the first to break 50 minutes in the 15K. She broke the AR in the marathon twice, first in 1980 at the NYC Marathon, and then again at Boston, running 2:27.52. From the late 70’s through the early 80’s, Patti was America’s best woman distance runner, and 2nd in the world only to the great Grete Waitz of Norway. Unknown to anyone during her peak years, Patti was struggling with Bulimia. After a disappointing 2nd place at the Boston Marathon in 1981, Patti began to be plagued with injuries and personal issues. She felt she was no longer running for herself, but for others. Her incredible story is one of a discovered great talent, of fortitude and courage, and finally of acceptance and peace. It is a tale that helps us understand what it took to be one of the greatest of all times, and how it felt to fall from such a great height, survive and then find an even greater happiness.

Her amazing life will make you “laugh and cry”, and you will understand what it took for her to come through her hard times, whole and healthy.