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USATF Foundation Ultimate Art Auction spotlights Craig Virgin, American distance running legend6-23-2010INDIANAPOLIS - The USA Track & Field Foundation has announced Craig Virgin will be among the distance running greats that will appear on a commissioned piece of art entitled, "Running Legends: A Signature Piece," honoring 12 of the greatest living American distance runners of all time. All proceeds from the auction will benefit USA Track & Field Foundation grant programs for emerging elite athletes and youth clubs. CLICK HERE OR IMAGE FOR LARGER VIEW In addition to Craig, the piece created by renowned artist Roald Bradstock, includes the likenesses and original signatures of Joan Benoit Samuelson, Frank Shorter, Mary Slaney, Steve Scott, Jim Ryun, Dave Wottle, Billy Mills, Bob Schul, Alberto Salazar, Lynn Jennings and Bill Rodgers. Interested parties may bid on ebay.com beginning Friday, June 18 at 1:30 PM EST and ending on Sunday, June 27 at 1:30 PM EST, the last day of the Outdoor National Championships in Des Moines, IA. Please insert item number “130397667863” into the search box to access the auction web page. Additionally, 25 limited edition prints (also with original signatures) will be available for purchase for $2,500. Interested parties may contact USATF Foundation Executive Director Tom Jackovic at tom.jackovic@usatf.org or (412) 398-2484 for more information. CRAIG VIRGIN BIOGRAPHY: Date of Birth: August 2, 1955 Events Craig Virgin is an accomplished long distance runner, excelling in cross-country, track and road racing, and has been rated national or world class for most of his open career. Virgin was born in Belleville, Illinois on August 2, 1955, and raised on his family’s farm near Lebanon, Illinois. He’s a legend in Illinois High School track and cross-country circles, where he held the two-mile national high school record for many years. His time of 8:40.9 still stands as the fastest time ever recorded in an all high school race. In college at the University of Illinois, Virgin overcame injuries and illnesses to win nine Big 10 Championships, an NCAA Championship, and qualified for his first US Olympic Team. Despite having been born with a congenital urological disease, Virgin never quit trying his hardest, even when in 1994 his right kidney was removed. He’s said that the discomforts he endured as a youth were a lesson teaching him to separate himself from pain. And unfortunately, in 1997, that lesson became invaluable as Virgin recovered from a head-on car collision where he almost died from his injuries. After physical therapy and eight operations in the two years following the accident, Virgin began running again. A three-time Olympian in the 10,000 meters, the 1976 NCAA Cross-Country Champion, a seven-time US record-holder in road and track, and the two-time winner of the World Cross-Country Championships, Virgin has a running resume to be proud of. He became the first and only American male to win the I.A.A.F. World Cross-Country championship in 1980. Virgin has also won many of the major sub-marathon races in the US. Virgin retired from serious competitive running in January 1992 after a 23-year career of competition in cross-country, track and road racing. He is the president and founder of Front Runner Inc., a sports marketing company. Records Held Championships Education Occupation Sports Marketing The USATF Foundation provides a means to attract and guide funds to new and innovative track & field programs with an emphasis on providing opportunities for youth athletes, emerging elite athletes, distance training centers and anti-doping education. The Foundation depends upon donations from its Board of Directors and from generous fans of track & field. For more information or to contribute to the USA Track & Field Foundation, visit www.usatffoundation.org. |
CRAIG VIRGIN |
