Breaking Barriers: The First Black Runner to Complete Marathons on All Seven Continents with Tony Reed
This episode of DFW Running Talk features an interview with Tony Reed, a pioneering marathon runner with an extraordinary story. The conversation covers his remarkable journey from being diagnosed as pre-diabetic at age eight to becoming the first Black person to complete marathons on all seven continents.
Key highlights from the episode include:
Early Running Journey:
- Started running in high school where sports participation was mandatory
- Used running to manage his pre-diabetic condition
- Set a lifetime goal in 1976 to average 3 miles a day
- Has maintained detailed handwritten running journals since 1979
- Recently logged his 50,000th mile in Berlin
Texas Marathon Career:
- Ran his first marathon at Cowtown in 1982
- Completed 50 marathons just in Texas
- Ran 21 White Rock Marathons and 20 Cowtown Marathons
- Currently serves on the Dallas Marathon advisory board
- Has completed 132 marathons total
Seven Continents Achievement:
- Became the first Black person to complete marathons on all continents
- Memorable experiences in Antarctica, including running up a glacier
- Combined Antarctica and South America marathons in one trip
- Completed his final continent (Africa) with fellow runners in Kenya
- Featured in Runner's World for this historic achievement
Professional Life and Leadership:
- Former business executive in IT
- Wrote books connecting marathon training principles to business leadership
- Advocates for transformative leadership style
- Encouraged staff to pursue their passions and take calculated risks
- Emphasized work-life balance and personal growth
Recent Projects:
- Directed award-winning documentaries about African American distance runners
- "Breaking Three Hours" about trailblazing African American women marathoners
- "We Are Distance Runners" won 19 awards internationally
- Connected with influential figures in running history
- Continues to be active in the running community
The episode provides fascinating insights into both the physical and mental aspects of marathon running, while also exploring themes of leadership, breaking barriers, and the importance of pursuing challenging goals. Tony's story demonstrates how running can transform lives and create unexpected opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Key highlights from the episode include:
Early Running Journey:
- Started running in high school where sports participation was mandatory
- Used running to manage his pre-diabetic condition
- Set a lifetime goal in 1976 to average 3 miles a day
- Has maintained detailed handwritten running journals since 1979
- Recently logged his 50,000th mile in Berlin
Texas Marathon Career:
- Ran his first marathon at Cowtown in 1982
- Completed 50 marathons just in Texas
- Ran 21 White Rock Marathons and 20 Cowtown Marathons
- Currently serves on the Dallas Marathon advisory board
- Has completed 132 marathons total
Seven Continents Achievement:
- Became the first Black person to complete marathons on all continents
- Memorable experiences in Antarctica, including running up a glacier
- Combined Antarctica and South America marathons in one trip
- Completed his final continent (Africa) with fellow runners in Kenya
- Featured in Runner's World for this historic achievement
Professional Life and Leadership:
- Former business executive in IT
- Wrote books connecting marathon training principles to business leadership
- Advocates for transformative leadership style
- Encouraged staff to pursue their passions and take calculated risks
- Emphasized work-life balance and personal growth
Recent Projects:
- Directed award-winning documentaries about African American distance runners
- "Breaking Three Hours" about trailblazing African American women marathoners
- "We Are Distance Runners" won 19 awards internationally
- Connected with influential figures in running history
- Continues to be active in the running community
The episode provides fascinating insights into both the physical and mental aspects of marathon running, while also exploring themes of leadership, breaking barriers, and the importance of pursuing challenging goals. Tony's story demonstrates how running can transform lives and create unexpected opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Creators and Guests
Host
Chris Detzel
As a seasoned technology leader with over 20 years of experience, I specialize in building and nurturing thriving communities both running and technical
Guest
Tony Reed
Tony Reed made history as the first Black person to complete marathons on all seven continents. Starting his running journey to manage a pre-diabetic condition diagnosed in childhood, he transformed into one of the most accomplished marathoners in the world, completing 132 marathons across the globe. A member of the elite Marathon Hat Trick club (completing 100+ marathons, running all seven continents, and all 50 states), Reed has logged over 50,000 miles since 1979, maintaining his goal of averaging 3 miles per day. His running adventures include tackling glaciers in Antarctica, racing the Great Wall Marathon in China, and finishing his continental quest in Kenya. Beyond his athletic achievements, Reed is an accomplished business executive, CPA, and author of six books. He's also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, directing "Breaking Three Hours" and "We Are Distance Runners," which highlight the untold stories of African American distance runners. His work earned recognition from Runner's World and multiple international film festivals. Currently serving on the Dallas Marathon advisory board, Reed continues to inspire the running community while preserving and sharing the history of African American distance runners through his creative works and community involvement. Notable Achievements: 132 marathons completed First Black person to run marathons on all 7 continents 50,000+ miles logged Marathon Hat Trick completion Multiple award-winning documentaries Author of six books Former Dallas Marathon board member