Original Gangsters Of Running (Paul Geis)
I think Paul was more like Pre than Pre wanted to admit. – Steve Bence
I am old enough to remember when Paul Geis showed up.
Just like those old cowboy movies, where the ambitious youngster rides into town, looking to prove who’s the fastest gunslinger around.
And ALL the townspeople – I mean everybody – left the livery and the general store and the saloon to watch this bead-wearing upstart challenge the hometown hero.
Imagine The Original Pancake House empty.
Track & Field News. The Bible Of The Sport.
On The Road. September 1980.
Geis Gets All Wet
Junction City, Oregon, August 9 – Paul Geis is tough.
On the morning of the Scandia Run, he relaxed by water skiing. A better runner than he is a skier, Geis managed to fall on his head.
On the afternoon of the Scandia Run, he checked into a local hospital, suffering from blood in his ears. The pain ringing in his head was so bad a doctor prescribed codeine.
On the evening of the Scandia Run, Paul Geis ran 28:23 for an abbreviated “six” miles. There was no drug testing.
Doug Brown, who tied with Tony Brien for second in 29:02, embarked on a road racing career hopeful of maintaining his 3.9% bodyfat until he makes his fourth Olympic team. That is a long time to plan a two-week trip to Los Angeles.
Joan Hansen destroyed the women’s course record (34:34 by Ellen Schmidt in 1977) by running 33 minutes flat.
Paul Geis 1953 – 2019 Obituary
Paul Geis, 66, died Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019 of what is suspected to be a Pulmonary Embolism. He was born in Houston, Texas and graduated from St. John’s [High School], where he still holds the record for the mile in 4:12.0. He began his college education at Rice University but transferred to the University of Oregon his Sophomore year to further pursue his running career under Coach Bill Dellinger.
His running accolades include being a part of the 1974 NCAA Champion Cross Country Team with Oregon, winning the 1974 NCAA 5000-meter title, and going on to become a 1976 5000-meter Olympic Finalist in Montreal. He continued his running career after college with Athletics West and was coached by Bill Bowerman. His running career is known for his rivalry with Steve Prefontaine. His best performances include the mile in 3:58.0 (1973); 2 miles in 8:21.8 (1976); 5000 meters in 13:23.38 (1974); 10000 meters in 28:06.62 (1980).
Paul graduated with an undergraduate degree from the University of Oregon, followed by his MBA from Stanford and had a successful career in finance. He spent 31 years in Oregon before returning to Texas. After retirement, he split his time between Oregon and Texas.
Paul had a big heart and was known for his deep love for the Oregon Ducks and cigars, his gregarious, larger than life spirit, his love for all things Costco and his avoidance of following the rules. He loved a good adventure but never missed his afternoon nap. He was a proud Grandpa and enjoyed doting on his grandchildren, Hazel (6), Memphis (3) and Zion (1).
In his later years, he found a deep love for golf and holds two holes-in-ones at Powell Butte’s Brasada Canyons Course on hole 12. He loved learning about history and was often found with a good WWII book in his hand. He was both witty and charming, able to start a conversation with anyone. He was both generous and caring, and competitive and stubborn.
Paul is survived by his fiance, Patricia Green, who he affectionately named PG squared; his children, Geoff Geis, Catie Geis, Blake Geis, Emilie Hinds; his son-in-law, Mark Hinds; and daughter-in-law, Jennifer Geis; his grandchildren, Hazel, Memphis and Zion. He was preceded in death by his parents, Duane and Lois Geis; and his brother, Greg Geis.
Geis was invariably compared to Steve Prefontaine. And the fans were not always savvy about it. Many years later, Paul spoke to Paul Omundson for Eugene Magazine.
One of the most interesting relationships is that between Pre and Paul Geis, a contemporary runner who transferred to UO from Rice and was almost as good as the Coos Bay superstar. At the time he was dubbed Pre’s heir apparent by the press. Geis is bugged to this day at the media’s depiction of him as Pre’s nemesis, his antagonist.
“When I came to Oregon, my goal was to beat him, not worship him,” Geis says point-blank. “There were a bunch of people around the UO who put Pre on a pedestal. I didn’t do that. Just because I aspired to beat someone as a competitor doesn’t make me a bad guy.”
Off the track, when competitive flames were non-existent, the two runners were buddies.
“We partied, chased girls, and drank together,” Geis says. The two even survived a summer in close quarters on the European track tour, living out of their suitcases for five weeks.
“I admired him as a fierce competitor,” Geis continues. “But from my point of view, he was not a smart runner. I mean really, why do you want to routinely tell your competition what your strategy is before you race them?”
Does Pre work out with you?
“Hardly at all any more. I don’t work out that hard.”
https://trackandfieldnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/paul_geis.pdf
From ARRS (Association Of Road Racing Statisticians)
Personal bests
| Type | Distance | Time | Flags | Site | Date | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RD | 15 km | 45:28 | Tampa FL/USA | 11 Feb 1979 | ||
| RD | 10 mi | 48:04 | Gainesville FL/USA | 19 Feb 1979 | ||
| OT | 2 mi | 8:24.8 | Eugene OR/USA | 29 May 1973 | ||
| OT | 5 km | 13:23.38 | Helsinki FIN | 26 Jun 1974 | ||
| OT | 10 km | 28:06.22 | Eugene OR/USA | 06 Jun 1980 |