Sid Howard turns 70 today. We are very lucky to have him in our club, not only for his competitive accomplishments as a runner but for his warmth, humanity, and humor. Happy Birthday, Sid! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Below are some thoughts on the man who has had a tremendous impact on CPTC and the running community from two of his good friends. From Coach Tony Ruiz: 

“I can tell many stories about Sid Howard and monopolize the web site space, but I’ll keep it very simple: First of all, Happy 70th b-day my brother! You have been the single most influential person in my life. I’m tempted to say that your influence grew of the many victories you attained as an athlete, including World Championships, but this is just not so. This doesn’t even begin to tell the story of your legend. You’re the most influential person in my life because you helped raise a young boy into a man. You taught that young boy to compete but always respect your competitors, “for they are your brothers.” You taught that young boy that diplomacy is a virtue and not a weakness. You taught him the value of being positive, you taught him to remember names (although this is a gift only you have), you taught him to be firm in your beliefs and you taught that young boy to love your brothers and sisters, because that’s what we are, brothers and sisters.

 That young boy has grown up and has become a successful person, not because he won racing titles, or has the most trophies, but because he has learned to win at the game of life. You taught me so many things Sid, but I didn’t think I’d become a man as a result of executing these lessons. Thank you Sid, for being my mentor, my friend, my teammate, and most of all thank you for always believing in me!”

 And from Frank Handelman: 

“Sid Howard is one in a million.  As an athlete, he has the rare combination of fierce competitiveness and love for all his rivals and friends on and off the track.  In the 30 years of our friendship, I cannot recall one disagreeable moment.  

I’ll take a little credit for telling Sid to stop running marathons and hit the track, in the first conversation we ever had when I first saw him running at the Reservoir.  And I give Sid enormous credit for encouraging me to keep going through years of injuries, so that I had some successful seasons very late in my running career.  I cherish and love him dearly.

Happy Birthday, young man!”