Interesting article in the New York Times about the Twin Cities Court Record:

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/10/04/sports/phil-coppess-still-holds-twin-cities-marathon-record.html?ref=sports

Coppess eventually designed a training regimen that dovetailed with his rotating shifts at Clinton Corn and his parenting responsibilities; he was awarded full custody of the children in a 1985 divorce. He ran 14 to 15 miles on work days, longer on his days off, carrying a palm-sized stopwatch to record each mile. “I didn’t think it was a good 20-miler unless I had gone under two hours,” he said. One day a week, he did a track workout, and on another, hills. Physical therapy consisted of weekly chiropractic adjustments.

A very much unknown local hero. I live in Clinton, many people that know Phil have no idea of this record.

 

I wasn't into running when I lived in Clinton the first time (1985) but seeing Coppess running was a pretty common sight.

Does he still run? 

 

"I have tons of great stories and all the running-specific information, so i will try to find a venue for that part of the story (believe it or not, Runners World and Running Times both turned it down)."

I'd read that.