AIMS SADDENED TO LEARN OF THE PASSING OF DR DAVID MARTIN, FORMER AIMS STATISTICIAN

Born in Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA, he became a Regents’ Professor Emeritus at Georgia State University and was internationally recognised for his interdisciplinary contribution to distance running.  His professional activity as a researcher, coach, statistician and advocate provided him with a breadth and depth of focus that enabled him to impact the sport in profound ways. Dave was a great supporter of the ‘women’s marathon’, leading to the first Olympic women’s marathon in 1984.

In addition to his work with AIMS Dave held positions with USA Track & Field (marathon development chair), the American Physiological Society, the International Society of Olympic Historians, the Track and Field Writers of America, the Association de la Presse Sportive (AIPS), the Association of Track and Field Statisticians (chief compiler) and the International Marathon Medical Directors Association (IMMDA).

Dave was a prolific author, writing five books – The Marathon Footrace (1979), The High Jump Book (1987), Training Distance Runners (1991), The Olympic Marathon (2000), Better Training for Distance Runners (1997) – and over a hundred articles in the areas of athletics, exercise science and sports medicine.

His most prized achievement was a research program he created for the 2004 Athens Olympics that helped propel Meb Keflezighi and Deena Kastor to a silver and bronze medal in the Olympic marathon. Dave recently donated his records, statistics and running collectables to the AIMS Museum in Berlin, Germany. 

AIMS President Paco Borao comments: ‘Dr Dave Martin served AIMS and the sport of running with great distinction, intelligence, passion and compassion. He touched and improved the lives of all who had the pleasure to meet him around the world. He was a great and genuinely humble man who treated all he met with great respect and courtesy. We have lost a great friend and a man who helped shape the sport of athletics. His absence will be felt and mourned. Thank you, Dave, for all your kindness, friendship and genius by way of your lasting contribution to athletics.’

Dave is survived by his sister Kathleen (Kay) Strey, nephew John Little, niece Deb Makovsky, great-niece Krissy Sandley and god-daughter Zoe Sandley.