The Raven Run lost one of its most beloved runners last week. Tom “Gringo,” a Hall of Fame Runner with over 1,600 Raven Runs and 654 swims, died on March 2. His final run with Raven was last year, at 83 years old, which earned Gringo the Event of the Year for being the oldest runner ever to complete the run. This was at least his third time earning an Event of the Year—once for running during Hurricane Irene and another time for running while in the middle of chemotherapy. Gringo had a way of sensing someone’s best quality and bringing it out. After five minutes of conversation with anyone, I think he could’ve given the eulogy at her funeral. I’ve probably run about 50 times with Gringo and will cherish the miles we put in together. I’m grateful for the stories he told, many of which live on in the hearts and minds of other runners, and in the pages of Running with Raven. Two weeks ago, when Yellow Rose and Raven went to visit Gringo, Raven asked him how he was doing. Gringo replied, “I’m dancing as long as the music lasts.”

Written by Laura Lee Patterson Huttenbach “White Lightning”

Photograph by Mary Beth Koeth “Yellow Rose”

Pictured “Gringo” for the Raven Run Swimsuit Calendar in 2013