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The 1982 Lakefront Marathon was arguably the worst weather for the race, with a strong Southerly headwind throughout.  The results were skewed by the fact that the winner, Steve Benson of Minnesota, took an early lead and drafted off of the lead Press truck - aiding only him.  To wit, both Joe Broze and Tony Shockency were 2:16 marathoners, yet could only muster a 2:22 on this day in a tie for second place.  Tom Antczak had run 2:15 four years earlier to place 5th in the New York City Marathon, and was 12th at Boston in 1979.

My favorite parts of that years’ race occurred after it was over.  In a post-race drawing from only age-group placewinners, my name was drawn to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the Mardi Gras Marathon the following February compliments of Miller Brewing.  I went down there and, in another point-to-point headwind race that traversed the 22-mile-long Lake Ponchartrain Causeway, finished 3rd place overall (1st - 20-29) in the Big Easy with a 30-second PR.

Five miles to the West, our beloved Brewers were playing the 5th and final ALCS game at old CountyStadium against the California Angels.  Transistor radios down at McKinley Marina blared the game broadcast, as we awaited  the Awards ceremony.  The Brewers won the pennant that afternoon, clinching their first World Series appearance ever and the first for Milwaukee since the 1957-58 Braves.  All in all, a remarkable day.

Dick Dodd