Pushing The Pace: Mark Curp Runs from North Missouri's Backroads to a World Record!

Mark Curp's story began in Polo, Missouri, (Population: 539 in 1980!).  A track athlete without a track, Mark ran to a 2 mile run State Championship, then became a 7 time NCAA DII All-American and 2 time NCAA DI All-American at the University of Central Missouri (then Central Mo State University) in the 10,000 meters.  He was just getting started!  He turned professional in 1983 and ran to glory in 1985 with three major event wins including the Philadelphia Distance Run.  In that race he broke the World Record for the Half-Marathon, a record he held for over 5 years (and held the American record for the event for 21 years!)  In 1987 and 1988 he was named Road Racer of the Year by Runner's World Magazine.  Running well into his 30s, Mark was an icon in the Kansas City running community and is the greatest distance runner in the history of Missouri sports.  Brent Martin, News Director of KFEQ/Eagle Radio in St. Joseph, MO, joins us for this lively interview and conversation on Mark's great races in his career and his motivation to keep pushing the pace!  

Intro/Outro, Touch_Down by Matt Welch, Music Courtesy of Melodie Music, www.melod.ie

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Show-Me Sports Legacies takes a story approach to learning about high school, junior college, D2 & D1 college sports and our beloved professional franchises in Kansas City and St. Louis. We talk to people who have made their mark as coaches, players, scouts and business people after coming from small towns or little known communities or neighborhoods. We talk to people who are seeking to establish their reputation and break into sports career success. With a fan's perspective we look at how to encourage and support people who have that sporting dream.