When Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone set the then 400-meter world record of 50.68 seconds at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, Ore., the person with the closest view of the action was Boulder’s Dan Pierce. The long-time track and field official was stationed on the edge of the Hayward Field track, close enough to feel the breeze when McLaughlin-Levrone came flying past in lane 8.

“It was amazing,” Pierce, a former national-class race walker who still race walks nearly every day, said in an interview last week, explaining that his role that day was to ensure that each athlete went over the hurdle in her lane. “`This is something special,’ I thought, watching her come around. I had time after Sydney came by to turn and watch the rest of the runners coming around the turn and up the track.”

That’s one of the many highlights from 53 years working as a track official in the entire gamut of the sport, from eight U.S. Olympic trials to myriad collegiate meets to helping kids in their first 100 meter dash at the Boulder Road Runners summer all-comers meets. Pierce has reached the top officiating level both nationally and internationally; while most officials are certified in a specific event, say the shot put, hurdles or pole vault, Pierce is able to work any of the 24 events comprising a meet. That is why you might find him nearly anywhere on the track as the go-to guy for any issue that comes up.

“A ton of memories,” Pierce said, pausing to select another to share, this one going back to the Seattle area, where Pierce grew up and first fell in love with track and began volunteering at races with the Seattle Track Club. “I used to ride the bus with Wilt’s Athletic Club, and Florence and I would sit next to each other, before she became famous.”

“Florence” of course, was the late Florence Griffth-Joyner, the sartorially splendid star who would go on to win three Olympic gold medals, setting the still-standing women’s 200-meter world record of 21.34 at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games. “Wilt used to tease us about sitting with each other.”

Wilt? That would be former NBA basketball star Wilt Chamberlain, sponsor of the eponymous track club. While the big names and big meets are fun to be around — Pierce chuckles recalling being offered a cigarette by former shot put world record holder Brian Oldfield during a meet — he gets as much satisfaction from helping newcomers to the sport and overseeing local meets as from being trackside at the Olympic trials.

Tuesday evening, in recognition of his contributions, Pierce will join Longmont two-time Olympian Anuta Catuna in being inducted into the Colorado Running Hall of Fame (corunninghalloffame.com). Joining Catuna and Pierce will be Colorado running stalwart Lisa Mills and Denver hurdler David Oliver.

“I am shocked,” said Pierce. “This is totally unexpected. There are a lot of good names in there.”

Pierce certainly deserves the honor. Boulder Road Runners founder Rich Castro, who started the club’s summer all-comers track series, praised Pierce’s passion and organizational acumen, writing in an email, “Dan raised the standard for our meets, gave us structure and formalized our schedule of events. He brought a true sense of professionalism and dedication to our summer meetings.

“Dan represents the backbone of what is necessary to produce a first-class meet.”

Pierce, a carpenter by trade, still race walks local races, but not the Bolder Boulder, as like many of his fellow Boulder Road Runners, he volunteers at the iconic Memorial Day race. However, the last time Pierce race walked the Bolder Boulder, he clocked a solid 49:26. I’ve walked with Pierce on some Sunday mornings and can vouch that he is indeed quick, and that we sometimes pass runners along the trail (not always appreciated).

Pierce says that “absolutely” walking can provide the same health benefits as running, with the bonus of a lower injury rate. He has this advice to newcomers planning to walk the Bolder Boulder: “You get used to whatever you practice. Just go do it. “

The Bolder Boulder has waves, or starting groups for runners; joggers; walkers; run walk; and walk run. The walking division started back in 1984, when race director Cliff Bosley’s “Grandpa Ted,” a smoker, walked the race with Cliff’s mom, Francie Bosley, and some friends. Francie Bosley became the driving force building the walking division, which, she said at the time, can be “wonderful and empowering.”

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