Meet Rod Dixon

For 17 years, Rod Dixon was one of the best runners in the World. He is an Olympic Medalist, two time World Cross Country Championship Medalist, and the 1500m Champion of the United States, France, Great Britain, and New Zealand. And, to this day, his victory in the 1983 New York City Marathon remains one of the most dramatic finishes the event has ever seen.

Rod is now a passionate advocate of the worldwide children’s health and fitness movement. He knows that kids around the world are not getting the physical exercise and nutrition they need. It is Rod’s goal to bring the KiDSMARATHON program to thousands of children around the world, so they can experience the true value (and fun!) of exercise and nutrition, and develop positive life-long habits.

Born and bred in Nelson, New Zealand, Rod found school life, and sitting in a classroom tough. Participating in various sports provided an outlet for his excess energy, and Rod discovered a natural ability to run cross country. Athletics New Zealand has done a profile on Rod which you can read here.