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Armando Azócar

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Armando Azócar is a former athlete who competed for Venezuela at the Pan American Games Marathon in 1983 and 1987. He is often mentioned (along with Rubén Maza and Pedro Mora) as one of the best long-distance runners from his country.[1][2][3]

Armando Azócar
Personal information
NationalityVenezuelan
Born1958
Height6 ft (183 cm)
Weight126 lb (57 kg)
Sport
SportAthletics
EventLong-distance running
Achievements and titles
Personal bestMarathon: 2:16:39
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Venezuela
Pan American Games
1983 Caracas, Venezuela Marathon
Pan American Games
1987 Indianapolis, Indiana Marathon

Professional career edit

Azócar ran a personal best time for the marathon when competing at the 1983 Boston Marathon. As the race developed in perfect weather conditions, the number of runners setting fast marks was almost unbelievable. Greg Meyer, Ron Tabb, Benji Durden, Dan Schlesinger and many others set a blistering pace—and held it to the finish. The top 10 runners that year were all under 2:12; 84 runners were under 2:20; Joan Benoit demolished the women's world record by nearly 3 minutes. Azócar and his countryman Eduardo Castellanou were some of the only international runners near the top pack. Castellanou's 2:15:41 and Azócar's 2:16:39 earned them some of the best times ever by Venezuelans at Boston.[4][5][6]

His run earned him a place on the team for the 1983 Pan American Games, which took place in his country's capitol, Caracas. The marathon was run in heat and humidity of the afternoon, slowing some competitors. Others were challenged by the altitude: the city is 3,000 feet above sea level. Azócar was the third runner to enter Caracas' Estadio Olimpico, where he had another lap before the finish. As the first Venezuelan finisher, he had the stadium's crowd in a frenzy. But Mexican runner Miguel Angel Cruz entered just behind him, came up on his shoulder, and then overtook him. Azócar took the honor of fourth place as Cruz finished a few seconds ahead for the bronze. It was Puerto Rican Jorge González who took the win.[7][8][9][10][11][12]

In 1987, Azócar was back at the Pan American Games, which were held in Indianapolis, Indiana. The press considered him one of the favorites to win the marathon, along with González. The race had less than 20 competitors, as was common for the Pan American competitions. At 7 a.m., in a slight rain with mild heat, the runners took off from Fort Benjamin Harrison and wound through the streets of the American heartland city as the day warmed. Azócar pushed, but had significant trouble and, along with American Ric Sayre and Puerto Rican Eduardo Maldonado, dropped out before reaching the finish line in front of the crowds at the Indiana University Stadium. Brazilian Ivo Rodrigues took the win.[13][14][15][16][17]

Azócar returned to Caracas in December for the seventh-annual Navidad Marathon and a chance to run with the best in his nation. He ran to victory, winning in 2:20:52.[18]

The following year, he won a large marathon in the United States: Grandma's Marathon, in which runners follow the North Shore of Lake Superior from one Great Lakes port city to another (Two Harbors, to Duluth, Minnesota). Although the race in June is known to be cooler, the weather in 1988 was scorching and windy. Many runners dropped. Azócar had only entered days before—a planned race in Venezuela had been cancelled. After a 15-hour flight and only a few hours of sleep, he kept a strong pace and fought the headwind. The finish was ironic: after being chased down by a Mexican competitor in 1983's Pan American Games marathon, Azócar was battling from behind against a Mexican—this time Rodolfo Gomez. History reversed itself at mile 22: Azócar soared past Gomez. Azócar opened up a one-minute lead by the time he crossed the line in Duluth's Canal Park to the cheers of the sweating crowd.[19][20][21][22][23]

Meanwhile, his countrywoman Yoli Casas finished second behind Jackie Gareau. Azócar and Casas had hoped to qualify for the Venezuelan Olympic team in the marathon for the 1988 Olympics, though due to the heat of the day, neither met the qualifying times. The country did not send a team. Years later, Pedro Mora followed Acozár's path to Duluth, with hopes to make the Olympic team for the London games. With his fourth-place finish in 2:14:41, Mora sealed his Olympic bid.[19][24][25][26][27]

Achievements edit

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing   Venezuela
1983 Pan American Games Caracas, Venezuela 4th Marathon 2:21:30
1983 Boston Marathon Boston, Massachusetts 38th Marathon 2:16:39
1987 Pan American Games Indianapolis, Indiana DNF Marathon -
1987 Navidad Marathon Caracas, Venezuela 1st Marathon 2:20:52
1988 Grandma's Marathon Two Harbors to Duluth, Minnesota 1st Marathon 2:20:07

References edit

  1. ^ Dumont, Ernesto (25 July 2018). "Media maratón 'Virgen del Valle' se potencia a través del amor y la fe". Afición Deportiva. El Sol de Margarita (in Spanish). Porlamar, Venezuela. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  2. ^ "Pan American Games Results". The Olympian. New York, New York: United States Olympic Committee. 1983.
  3. ^ "Mora es favorito en Juncos". Deportes. el Tiempo (in Spanish). Bogotá, Colombia. 15 November 1983. p. 1B.
  4. ^ Derderian, Tom (2017). "Monday, April 18, 1983: Don't Let the Wise Guy Lead". Boston Marathon: Year-by-Year Stories of the World's Premier Running Event. New York, New York: Skyhorse Publishing. pp. 452–461. ISBN 978-1-5107-2428-0.
  5. ^ Ken Young; Andy Milroy, eds. (2022). "Armando Azocar". arrs.com. Mattole Valley, California: Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  6. ^ Burfoot, Amby (11 April 2013). "Why Was The 1983 Boston Marathon So Deep?". Runner's World. Easton, Pennsylvania: Hearst. Archived from the original on 13 August 2020. Retrieved 7 February 2023.
  7. ^ Fachet, Robert (29 August 1983). "U.S. Sweeps Relays as Pan Am Games End". Washington Post. Washington, D.C. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  8. ^ Michael Rabinovich, ed. (2022). "IX Pan American Game, Caracas 1983". trackfield.brinkster.net. Track and Field Statistics. Phoenix, Arizona. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  9. ^ "Pan American Games: Caracas, Venezuela, 1983" (PDF). atfs.org. Association of Track and Field Statisticians. Huntley, Illinois. 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  10. ^ "Pan American Games: Track and Field". Sports. The Vancouver Sun. Vancouver, Canada. 29 August 1983. p. D8.
  11. ^ Blanchette, John (19 August 1983). "Cripes, it's Caracas, a 'Pan Dam Shame'". Sports. Spokane Chronicle. Spokane, Washington. p. 17.
  12. ^ "Fondista comienzan a llegar para carrera en Puerto Rico". Segunda Sección. la Opinion (in Spanish). Los Angeles, California. 13 November 1983. p. 4.
  13. ^ "CBS Sports Special Coverage: Pan American Games X". CBS Sports. 3 hours 59 minutes 34 seconds. New York, New York: posted by user 'westnyacktwins,' as '1987 Pan American Games August 9, 1987' (published 4 July 2017). 9 August 1987. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023 – via YouTube.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  14. ^ Slater, Jim (8 August 1987). "Twenty-eight marathon runners, including two of America's most senior, set for international competition". United Press Institute. Washington, D.C.: News World Communications. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023 – via UPI Archives.
  15. ^ Michael Rabinovich, ed. (2022). "X Pan American Game, Indianapolis 1987". trackfield.brinkster.net. Track and Field Statistics. Phoenix, Arizona. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  16. ^ "Pan American Games: Indianapolis, USA, 1987" (PDF). atfs.org. Association of Track and Field Statisticians. Huntley, Illinois. 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  17. ^ "For the Record: Pan American Games". Sports. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. 10 August 1987. p. 5C.
  18. ^ Ken Young; Andy Milroy, eds. (2013). "Navidad Marathon". arrs.com. Mattole Valley, California: Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Archived from the original on 9 May 2021. Retrieved 5 February 2023.
  19. ^ a b Ferstle, Jim (12 June 1988). "Venezuelan's Last-Minute Trip Pays Off". Sports. St. Paul Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. p. 15C.
  20. ^ "Venezolano gana maratón". Deportes. El Nuevo Herald (in Spanish). Miami, Florida. 12 June 1988. p. 6B – via Associated Press.
  21. ^ Breitenbucher, Annie (21 June 2002). "2002 Grandma's Marathon: True Masters". Sports. Star Tribune. Fast Facts. Minneapolis, Minnesota. p. 1C.
  22. ^ "Sports Shorts: Grandma's Marathon". Sports. St. Louis Post-Dispatch. St. Louis, Missouri. 12 June 1988. p. F6.
  23. ^ Ferstle, Jim (12 June 1988). "Venezuelan Beats Grandma's Heat Azócar Conquers Gomez and his 'Rabbit'". Sports. St. Paul Pioneer Press. St. Paul, Minnesota. p. 1C.
  24. ^ "Marks Fall in 2 Miles, Long Jump". Sports. Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois. 13 June 1988. p. 9.
  25. ^ "Grandma's Marathon". Runner's World. Vol. 23, no. 7. Easton, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press. 1988. p. 102.
  26. ^ "Marathons". Sports Beat. Courier Journal. Louisville, Kentucky. 13 June 1988. p. D5.
  27. ^ "Venezolano Pedro Mora se anotó en Londres 2012". Deportes. El Impulso (in Spanish). Barquisimeto, Venezuela. 16 June 2012. Archived from the original on 7 February 2023. Retrieved 5 February 2023 – via ZTG Group Corp.
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