Ex-Marathoner Lured Out of Retirement for One Final Caper
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A local runner who quit doing marathons years ago has reluctantly agreed to run one more, Dumb Runner has learned, at the urging of a few old friends.
Saul Bloom, 70, made the announcement over the weekend, during a meetup with several former running buddies at a local pub, according to a source who overheard their conversation.
“[Bloom’s friends] were very persuasive,” said the source, who requested anonymity. “At first, he was adamant that his marathon running days were behind him. But they persisted.”
By the time a server had brought a fourth round of beverages, the source said, Bloom’s resistance had waned noticeably as his friends appealed to their shared decades-old camaraderie.
“You could tell he was softening up,” the source said. “At one point, I heard one of his buddies describe the race as ‘one last job,’ after which they could all ‘quit forever with their heads held high.’”
“Bloomy,” said another, “we can’t do this without you.”
Soon after that, the source said, Bloom sighed deeply and told his companions, “I can’t believe I’m saying it, but… F*** it, I’m in.”
The men then made a toast to Bloom and ordered another round of drinks.
Bloom has a long history with running in general, having taken up the sport in the late 1970s. Described by friends as a fierce competitor, he completed 11 marathons between 1981 and 1993, with a personal best time of 2:38:42.
After achieving that PR, at the 1993 Ocean Beach Marathon, Bloom formally announced his retirement from marathon running, expressing a desire to “quit while I’m ahead.” In the years since, sources said, Bloom has continued to run, albeit at much shorter distances and slower paces, in addition to spending time hiking, gardening, and learning to paint.
The father of three and grandfather of four seemed perfectly content without running marathons, sources told Dumb Runner, which made his recent reversal surprising.
“I can’t believe he agreed to this, at his age,” said a source. “At the same time, I also find it hard to believe that he’ll truly stop after this one.”
“I could totally see a sequel.”
