Treacy, Silver Medalist in 1984, Returns to Scene of His Glory

The last time John Treacy ran through the streets of Los Angeles, he was chased by most of the fastest marathoners in the world.

Treacy, of Ireland, was the surprise silver medalist in the marathon at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, behind the even more surprising Carlos Lopes of Portugal, who won the gold at age 37. Treacy’s second-place finish shocked most observers because it came in his first marathon.

As Treacy ran into the Coliseum toward the finish line he was cheered on not only by thousands of Irish-Americans, but also the delighted Irish Olympic team, whose members celebrated by dancing and wildly cheering.

The soft-spoken Treacy remarked of his first marathon only that: “I thought it would be more difficult.”

Treacy will run in next Sunday’s L.A. Marathon, and by now he’s an expert at the distance. Because Treacy has been named to the Irish Olympic team and will run the Olympic Marathon in August, he says he wants to run this marathon to test his fitness.

“He wants to run it for his confidence,” said Mark Plaatjes, who recruited Treacy for the race.