Jeff Rawlins

Year Inducted: 1994

 

 

 

Personal Records:
5K - 14:15
10K - 29:30
Half-Marathon - 1:05:23
Marathon - 2:16:40

Favorite distance: Marathon

Favorite race: Rocket City Marathon

Favorite runner: Frank Shorter, Steve Prefontaine, and many others

Favorite location to run: Dayton Metro Park bike paths


As a freshman at Tipp City high school in 1972, Jeff was a vital part of a cross country team that went to the state meet all four years he was on the team. They finished 16th, 5th, 2nd, and 2nd respectfully. His senior year he was 4th overall at state, missing the AA division title by only 4 seconds. Jeff set the school record in the 2 mile (9:24) and was named All Ohio twice in high school (cross country 1975, track 1976).

Jeff was a three time All-American in college at Malone College in Ohio. As a senior in 1981 he placed third in the NAIA Cross Country National Championship helping lead his team to a second place finish in the national championship.

He has run nine sub 2:20 marathons and qualified for three Olympic Trials in the marathon. He ran a 2:22:46 in the 1980 Olympic trials in Buffalo, New York. He missed the 1984 and 1988 trials due to injuries.

In 1985 he finished second at the Dayton River Corridor Classic with a time of 1:05:23 finishing behind only the Olympian Steve Jones. Jeff also placed second in the closest DRCC in history with only 2 seconds between him and winner Mike Michno in 1991.

In 1992 was the first Ohio finisher in the Columbus Marathon placing 10th overall. That same year he was honored by being named the “Top Ohio Runner” by Ohio Runner Magazine.

Jeff has held numerous course records in local races: 24:56 (Brookville Picnic 5 Mile Run), 15:09 (Independence 5K Run), and 15:42 (Lou Cox Masters Record). He has won the Dayton River Corridor Classic, ORRRC Marathon, Dayton Night Run, Minster, and Rocket City Marathon, and many others.

Jeff considers the best race he ever won to be the 2009 National Masters 10K championship in the 50-54 age group at the National Masters Track & Field Championship in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin.

Jeff lives in Tipp City, Ohio and is a member of Alliance Running.