Jim Pearson
Distance Running

Pearson is a 1962 graduate of Lake Stevens High School where he participated in varsity football, basketball and track and field. He attended and ran for Western Washington University where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree and a Master’s Degree in Education. He taught one year at Snohomish Middle School, where he coached basketball and cross country. He then accepted a position at Ferndale High School where he remained for the next 35 years. There he coached cross country and track & field, and during his teams’ workouts, he always ran with the team. Jim later coached at Whatcom CC, Everett CC and Cardinal Stritch University. He has not missed a day of running since February 15, 1969.

Jim has competed in many championship events. Notable highlights and honors:
• 1st 1975 U.S. 50 Mile National Championships (American record time of 5:12:40.1,& 3rd best time in the world).
• 1st 1988 U.S. 50 Mile Masters National Championships (5:59:38).
• Twice Olympic Trials Marathon Qualifier (1972 & 1976).
• 2nd in two National Championships (1976-50K, and 1979-100K), and 3rd in two National Championships (1979–50 Mile, and 1980–100K).
• 1stin three major marathons (1970-Victoria, 1972-Portland, 1973-Seattle), and 2nd in first the Vancouver B.C. Marathon.
• 1st 1979 & 1980 Yakima 100K. Both times were 2nd fastest by an American.
• 9th 1986 World Masters Marathon Championships, where Team USA won Gold.

Inductee in Lake Stevens High Purple and Gold Club Hall of Fame, and WWU’s Athletic Hall of Fame.

Jim has been a long-time contributor to the world of running and is well recognized for always offering encouraging words to those he coached, mentored, ran with and competed against. He competed for Nike, Adidas and Snohomish Track Club which he co-founded in 1967. In 1969 he started, and still organizes, the Birch Bay Marathon which, incredibly, he won 16 times. His best marathon time is 2:22:32.

Jim and his wife, Barbie, live in Marysville. They have a daughter, Paige, sons, Rob, Hopper, and Joel, and 5 grandchildren.