FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 25, 2005

CONTACT: Lisa Lacher, (515) 271-3119, lisa.lacher@drake.edu

MARATHON CHAMPION TO DISCUSS OVERCOMING HIS DRUG ADDICTION

On Thursday, March 10, Dick Beardsley, a nationally known runner and marathoner, will visit Drake University to discuss his battle with narcotics addiction. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will begin at noon in Bulldog Theater, Olmsted Center, 29th Street and University Avenue.

Beardsley, who won the Twin Cities Marathon several times and placed second in the Boston Marathon in 1982, was injured in several severe car accidents in 1992 and 1993. In the following years he underwent a number of surgeries and subsequently became addicted to prescription pain medications. He forged prescriptions to get large quantities of pills and was caught by a pharmacist in 1996. He then entered treatment and emerged drug free in 1997.

Beardsley has bounced back from his ordeal and participated in a number of marathons, as well as become a TV and radio personality, a compelling speaker and a respected running coach.

His presentation is made possible by the Capital Striders, a local running club. For more information on the Capital Striders, visit www.capitalstriders.org. For more information on the presentation, contact Drake pharmacy professor Ed Bell at (515) 271-1841 or ed.bell@drake.edu.

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