Leamington cyclist achieved high ranks

by C. Scott Holland

LEAMINGTON — For one Leamington resident in the mid-1980s, cycling to remain fit led to running marathon races. And they weren’t your ordinary long-distance races either.

In 1986, Leamington’s Danny Quick was training to run his second John Marino Ultra Marathon 700-mile-plus race, which was a qualifier for the Race Across America.

Quick began his cycling in 1981 and entered several races and won. The Windsor Cycling Club member took up the challenge of the 1985 Marino race and finished 18th.

Only 25 of the 75 entrants completed the race. Statistically, it meant that only 30% of the starters made it to the end.

Part of Quick’s training at the time was biking to and from his place of work in Windsor on various streets and roads of Essex County.

Prior to the race, he stated, “I don’t see it as a 700 mile race. I just go through the first 24 hours and set a goal to finish.”

The 1985 race was held 100 miles southwest of Los Angeles, and included desert and steep mountain terrain.

Of course, fundraising was an integral part of his ventures and thankfully he had three local sponsors whose names he wore on his hats and jerseys throughtout his county training and in races. His ultimate goal was to qualify for the Race Across America and be the first Canadian to finish it. But first, he needed to gain entry by being a top 12 finisher at the Marino race, which was being held in Chicago.

With his wife Cindy heading up the road crew that consisted of a few relatives plus his two daughters along for support, they would head from check point to checkpoint and supply needed food and drinks.

DANNY QUICK

As for racing itself, Quick said, “It’s a very big mental thing. You have to be prepared for anything. Physical pain is very real and your body tells you to stop, but you have to get past the pain and keep going.”

Heading into the 1986 events, Quick had the experience of being in the Michigan National 24-hour Challenge and the Marino race. In the Michigan event, he led about 350 other entrants for 120 km but was forced out of the race because of mechanical problems.

In that 1986 Marino race, Quick did qualify for the 1987 Race Across America, as he finished eighth out of the 60 who entered. The course was 11-anda- half circuits of a 61-mile course. He completed it in 45 hours and 49 minutes.

In the Race Across America, Quick started well and was in 10th place after three days of the grueling nine-day race. Weather conditions created havoc with gusty winds and sleet. After 750 miles of the 3,500 mile journey, Quick was forced to call it quits due to a severe stiff neck.

There was certainly disappointment but he was highly encouraged by being among the race leaders in those early stages.