Kempe’s moment in the sun

By John Bassetti

AUSTINTOWN — Rich Kempe quietly gushes while reflecting on his moment in the sun during the 1978 Peace Race’s 25k in which a twenty-something Kempe competed against international runners Lasse Viren of Finland, Malcom East of England and Randy Thomas of the Boston Track Club.

East and Thomas finished first together in 1:17.28 while Kempe placed 12th in 1:22.30, just ahead of Viren, who had won gold in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in the Olympics of 1972 and 1976.

“He was the god of distance running at that time,” Kempe said of Viren. “And the highlight of my Peace Race was passing him at the 12-mile mark. He wasn’t peaking for the Peace Race, but it was still fun to go by him and say I beat him in a race.”

Viren also finished fifth in the marathon in 1976 Olympics.

“It was pretty exciting to have the national and international runners come to town,” Kempe said of Viren, East, Thomas and others such as Frank Shorter, Bill Rodgers and Charlie Vigil.

Kempe, now 54, estimates that he has run in all but a half-dozen Peace Races since 1978, which wasn’t long after he achieved All-American recognition as a senior in 1975 at Mount Union College.

In fact, Kempe was a member of the school’s Division III national championship men’s cross country team in the fall of 1974.

“We were the first in the school’s history to win a national title,” Kempe said of the Purple Raiders’ achievement before Mount Union became known for its perennial national championships in football. “I was fortunate to be around great teammates and great coaches,” said Kempe, who ran for Jim Wuske in college.

It may be no coincidence that Kempe and former Peace Race director Ted Rupe have been fixtures in many Peace Races.

During their senior year of high school in the fall of 1972, Kempe was a member of Austintown Fitch’s Class AAA state championship cross country team, while Rupe ran for Maplewood, the Class A state champ that year.

Rupe ran at Cleveland State University, also in the mid ’70s. The Vikings finished 11th in the NCAA his senior year in 1978.

Coincidentally, both men became cross country coaches at their alma maters and they remain in that capacity.

Although Kempe didn’t get involved in the Peace Race’s organizational side, he does appreciate the group’s work in dealing with logistical obstacles.

“The efficiency of those behind the race and the course itself [Mill Creek Park] would rank it with any top race,” Kempe.

Although the course has a reputation as fast, Kempe refuses to declare it a breeze.

“Anything in the park is tough because it’s up and down. The first half is downhill and the second half is uphill.”

The first race in 1975 was designed by Jack Cessna to serve a two-fold purpose: utilize the city’s greatest natural resource and try to bridge the free world with Eastern Bloc ideology at the time.

“He was very passionate and that’s the great thing about him,” Kempe said of Cessna, whom he gave credit for elevating distance running’s status in the area.

“Having the international runners was just icing on the cake,” Kempe said, adding that Youngstown cultivated its own standouts such as Rupe, Jim Fox and John Lynch.

The race’s longevity can be traced to its organization and spirit of purpose and Kempe — who will run today — isn’t surprised.

“It’s been going on for decades and can continue if it has the right organization,” he said.

Although foreigners from countries such as Kenyan, Tanzania and Zimbabwe usually dominate the field, there is no resentment.

“It’s great to have runners for a diverse field,” Kempe said.

bassetti@vindy.com