| The Fifty-Plus Lifelong Fitness created the Emil Zatopek Award in 1991, named after the great Czechoslovakian distance runner who won three gold medals (5,000 meters, 10,000 meters, and marathon) at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. The feat has never been duplicated. This prestigious and one-of-a kind award is bestowed to individuals who attain courageous and memorable achievements in sports and in life, and who, in doing so, inspire others (especially older individuals) to live a fit and active lifestyle. Appropriately, Emil Zatopek was the first recipient of this unique award after he was brought to Palo Alto by Fifty-Plus and the Palo Alto Medical Foundation for medical evaluation of a spinal/leg problem, which was diagnosed as incurable spina bifida. The "Human Locomotive," as they called Zatopek, was reduced to a limp. But that didn't dampen his contagious positive spirit. Most importantly, while accepting the inaugural award, Zatopek demonstrated that the sporting instinct provides lasting benefits for ourselves, and to those people to whom we serve as "mentors" later in life. Since the presentation of the first Emil Zatopek Award, a progression of outstanding individuals devoted to the cause of lifelong fitness and health have received the perpetual Zatopek trophy at our Annual Awards Dinner. |
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Recipients:Select thumbnail image to see a larger image. |
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| 1991 |  Emil
Zatopek, on right, (b.1922 - d.2000) is regarded by many as the
greatest distance runner of all time. He also had an exemplary rare
devotion to physical fitness throughout his life. "We forget
our bodies to the benefit of mechanical leisure," Zatopek said.
"We act continuously with our brain, but we no longer use our
bodies, our limbs…We have a magnificent motor at our disposal,
but we no longer know how to use it." |
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| 1992 | 
Dr. Paul Spangler, MD, (b.1899 - d.1994) held 41 U.S. single-age
and age-group running records in a sport in which he continued to
compete right up until his death at 95 years old. He competed at multiple
distances on the track and roads, from 100 meters to the marathon.
Spangler also holds the distinction of the oldest American (92 years
old) ever to complete a marathon. He ran his last marathon at New
York City in 1991. Paul competed in many Fifty-Plus 8K annual races.
He was a true pioneer in the mission of our organization. |
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| 1993 |  Payton
Jordan is one of the most recognized track and field coaches and
athletes of all time. As a young athlete, he was a championship sprinter
at Pasadena High School and then the University of Southern California.
During his 10 years as track and field coach at Occidental (1947-1956),
Jordan produced one of the sport's greatest dynasties. In a subsequent
22-year coaching stint at Stanford University, Jordan guided the track
team to a second-place NCAA finish in 1963, and served as head track
coach of the1968 U.S. Olympic team, which won more medals and set
more records than any other U.S. team. After retiring from coaching
in 1979, Payton continued sprinting as a senior athlete and set world
records in the 100-meter dash in every age group from 55 to 80. |
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| 1994 |  Fred
Lebow (b.1932 - d.1994) is, perhaps, best recognized as the founder
and director of the world-renowned New York City Marathon, which he
directed every year since its inception in 1970 through 1993. He transformed
the marathon from a local event in Central Park with 55 finishers
to the world's largest marathon with over 25,000 finishers. Lebow
was also the president of the New York Road Runners Club for 20 years,
growing the group from 270 to 31,000 members. Fred passed away in
1994 shortly after he was awarded the Emil Zatopek Award during a
ceremony which he could not attend. He was also inducted into USA
Track & Field's Hall of Fame in the same year. |
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| 1995 |  Dr.
Peter Wood served as the first President of Fifty-Plus. He is
a longtime competitive runner of some distinction, and is Emeritus
Associate Director of the Stanford Center for Research in Disease
Prevention. Dr. Wood is an authority on the importance of fitness,
a world expert in the field of cholesterol research, and has authored
numerous scientific papers. A Fifty-Plus Volunteer of the Year Award
is given annually in his name to a deserving Fifty-Plus member. |
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| 1996 |  Bill
Toomey Since winning the 1968 Olympic Decathlon, Bill Toomey has
continued to excel as an athlete, speaker, humanitarian and health
enthusiast. An acclaimed sports celebrity and broadcast personality,
Bill frequently addresses the nation's top firms as an inspiring motivational
speaker who espouses physical well being through exercise and good
nutrition. |
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| 1997 |  John
McCarthy, as the Executive Director of the International Health
and Racquet Sports Association (IHRSA) in America, spearheaded attention
among IHRSA clubs towards the fast-growing segment of older adult
members. In so doing, he has brought the joy and benefits of racquet
sports to many senior individuals. |
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| 1998 |  Bill
Rodgers is a four-time winner of both the Boston and New York
Marathons, and he is one of most beloved and successful American distance
runners of all time. He a member of USA Track & Field's Hall of
Fame, and authored the book Lifetime Running Plan. Bill continues
to compete in his 50s, and is a model for the Zatopek Award's concept
of continued devotion to fitness after peak performances have waned. |
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| 1999 |  Joe
Henderson, on the right. There are few people who have contributed
as much to the popularity and growth of the sport of long distance
running in the U.S. as Joe Henderson. As a best-selling author, motivator,
speaker, and teacher Joe has guided and inspired unestimated numbers
of distance runners at all levels. Joe has served as an editor and
noted columnist for Runner's World magazine for many years, publishes
Running Commentary (a weekly online journal on running), and he has
authored or co-authored over 20 books on running and fitness. |
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| 2000 |  Ben
Parks Coach Ben Parks is a longtime high school coach that has
provided inspiration and guidance for numerous youth athletic programs
on the San Francisco Peninsula. Until recently, Coach Parks celebrated
his birthdays by running one mile on the track for each year of his
age. He has also led the traditional warm-up routine at the Annual
Fifty-Plus 8K Run for many years. |
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| 2001 |  Kathrine
Switzer is most famous for breaking the female gender barrier
at the 1967 Boston Marathon, inspiring numerous women to take up the
sport. Today, as creator and Program Director of the Avon Women's
Global Running Circuit, she oversees an innovative worldwide running
and walking series that has involved millions of women. She also authored
Running and Walking for Women Over 40. A true pioneer in the
world of running, Kathrine is the first female recipient of the Emil
Zatopek Award. |
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| 2002 |  Denis
Waitley is a noted keynote speaker, productivity consultant, and
author of The Psychology of Winning, the all-time best selling
program on personal and professional excellence. He has consulted
and counseled leaders in every field from "Fortune 500"
top executives to managers of multinational corporations, NASA astronauts
and Superbowl and Olympic champions. His many achievements include
being voted "Outstanding Speaker of 2000 in Commerce and Industry"
by Toastmasters International and "Platform Speaker of the Year"
by the Sales & Marketing Executives Association and inducted into
the International Speakers’ Hall of Fame. He is a former president
of the Jonas Salk Foundation and former Chairman of Psychology on
the U.S. Olympic Committee’s Sports Medicine Council He will speak
on "The Psychology of Winning." |
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| 2003 |  Anne
Cribbs, President of the Bay Area Organizing Committee for her
effort to bring the 2012 Summer Olympics to the Bay Area and former
Olympic swimmer. Ann Cribbs is now the Managing Director of Fifty-Plus
Lifelong Fitness. |
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| 2004 |
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|
Yoshihiro Uchida is
recognized both nationally and internationally for his efforts in
promoting the sport of Judo. He was awarded the Order of the Sacred
Treasure in 1986 by the Emperor of Japan. Yosh has been coaching
the San Jose State University Judo Team since 1946 where he began
as an instructor in Physical Education and was promoted to Associate
Professor in 1971. Coach Uchida is actively involved in furthering
the sport of Judo. In 2003, the San Jose State University Judo team
won its 39th National Collegiate Judo Championship Tournament. His
team holds the record for greatest number of National Championships
in American Collegiate Sports. San Jose State University dedicated
the Spartan Complex, Yoshihiro Uchida Hall, in Mr. Uchida's honor
in 1997 (now known as Uchida Hall). And, he also serves as Director
of the United States Olympic Committee.Return to Fitness Weekend Home page | Return to Fifty Plus Home Page
Last updated:
October 18, 2004
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