Editor’s Note: I remember opening each Sports Illustrated issue hoping Kenny Moore had written a story. He had a gift for great storytelling and commentary, mostly about running and our sport. I also found his books, “Best Efforts” and “Bowerman and The Men Of Oregon” as couldn’t-put-down reads. His own running was deeply tied to two of the most inspiring runners for me as a teenager – Steve Prefontaine and Frank Shorter. RIP Kenny Moore
Tribute From Mike Fanelli. Shared with permission.
IT PAINS ME DEEPLY to share the news of Kenny Moore’s passing earlier this morning. He did so very peacefully at the age of 78 with his devoted soulmate Connie by his side at their Hawaii home.
I cannot think of many other Americans who delivered more passion to our beloved sport…as an athlete, journalist, activist, and remarkably warm human being.
His accolades are many. His writing, pure poetry. His athletics career, legendary. As an activist, his efforts assisted in the release of Mamo Wolde from an Ethiopian prison.Kenny represented the USA in two Olympic marathons, 1968 and 1972.
At the Mexico City Games, he roomed with Tommie Smith. When the Olympic gold medalist was booted from the Athlete’s Village for his human rights podium ‘statement’, it was Kenny who literally spent the next few days sorting the incoming hate mail.
Later that week, when he eventually entered the Olympic Stadium with less than a full revolution of the oval remaining, he took time out from his final kick to the finish, in order to dance a little jig as he ran past the high jump pit where Dick Fosbury had just completed his ‘giant leap for mankind’.
In Munich, the North Eugene H.S. and University of Oregon alum finished fourth in the marathon…just missing the bronze that was earned instead by…Mamo Wolde.
If you haven’t read his magnum opus, ‘Bowerman and the Men of Oregon’, you positively must…in my opinion, THE best track book ever written.
I cannot say that I knew Kenny real well, but, whenever we did chat, (usually alongside the fence line in the corner of Hayward Field adjacent to the 1500 start) he was always so welcoming. I’d re-introduce myself and he’d say “yes, I know who you are…Gary’s brother that lives in San Francisco.”
As an aspiring track and field journalist, no one’s writings have been more influential upon me…period.
There’s SO much to say about the passing of this reluctant icon. I hope that those of you who knew him might consider sharing an anecdote with us here.
Safe travels friend. Rest in forever peace. 
