We ARE Distance Runners: Untold Stories of St. Louis' African American Athletes
There’s a myth that African Americans are sprinters, not distance runners. This documentary seeks to dispel this myth by interviewing six accomplished African American distance runners and coaches from St. Louis, MO. Their lives are intertwined as they, sometimes unknowingly, influenced each other. High schooler, Dick Gregory, influenced his younger brother, Ron, while he was in elementary school. Soldan High School's cross country coach, Ron, unknowingly influenced third grader, Tony Reed, when Tony watched his team practice. Tony was introduced to Coach Ron by his mother. When Dick ran from LA to NYC, this motivated Tony to run a marathon. Lisa Davis was motivated by the National Black Marathoners Association, where Tony was a co-founder and the executive director. Tony and Lisa both attened Clark Elementary School ten years apart and her parents attended Soldan High School.
Richard “Dick” Gregory – National high school one-mile recordholder; MO state one-mile and cross country champion; NCAA All American distance runner; ran over 3,500 miles from LA to NYC; National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame inductee (2017).
Dr. Ronald Gregory – National high school one-mile and two-mile recordholder; MO state half-mile, one-mile, and cross country champion; NCAA All American distance runner; National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame inductee (2017).
Anthony “Tony” Reed – First Black in the world to complete 26.2-mile marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica (2007); Completed 132 marathons and marathons in all fifty states; National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame inductee (2017).
Shalisa “Lisa” Davis – Set the Guinness world record (female) for running marathons on all seven continents, including Antarctica (2017); Completed over 200 marathons, marathons in all fifty states, and the Abbott Marathon World Majors.; National Black Distance Running Hall of Fame inductee (2024).
