Couples to Compete in 8K Race at Griffith Park Nov. 2

One of the more unique national championship races in the nation, the Foot Locker Partners competition, will be held Saturday, Nov. 2, at Los Angeles’ Griffith Park.

Starting time is 8 a.m. The race begins in front of the Griffith Park ranger station near the merry-go-round and covers an 8K route.

The Foot Locker National Championship is open to any two-person entry. It has drawn a few world-class runners, as well as a wide variety of everyday runners.

Rated the team to beat is Ruth and Tom Wysocki, winners of the event in 1983. Ruth made the sports headlines when she produced one of the more running upsets of recent track and field with her victory over Mary Decker in the 1984 Final Olympic Trials 1500 meters. She made the U.S. team in both the 800 and the 1500.

Husband Tom is a ranking 10,000-meter runner.

Another strong contender is the team of Janis and Barney Klecker, winner of the Minneapolis regional qualifier. Janis is a 2.35 marathon runner and a 33:28 10,000 entrant.

Marty Brewer and Diane Bussa also will contend for the husband-wife team title. Marty has run 28:50 for 10K, Diane has a best of 33:33. They’ll be married the day before the Foot Locker race.

Awards will be given in five combined age groups with special awards to family partner teams of husband-wife, brother-sister, mother-daughter, father-son, sister-sister and brother-brother. Foot Locker introduced the Partners program in 1983 to focus attention on the family running boom.