Richard Dodd, 52, is in recovery and running marathons again

The return of Hales Corners, Wis., native Richard Dodd as a marathon runner, after years of alcoholism, is the subject of a hopeful column by Doug Moe in today's Capital Times.

A 2:19 marathoner -- as was his twin brother, Pete -- in the 1980s, Richard Dodd is running again. And running well. At Milwaukee's Lakefront Marathon last October, Dodd won the 50-59 age group in 3:03:49, earning him a return to the Boston Marathon this April.

Dodd, now 52, four years sober and still attending several 12-step meetings per week, was once considered an Olympic hopeful.

So, too, was his brother. In fact, Richard nominated Pete as "Silent Sports Athlete of the Month" in the August 1985 issue. Richard made the case by pointing out that Pete placed second in the Syttende Mai 20-mile run from Madison to Stoughton in a time of 1:45 the previous May and less than a month later finished 15th overall at Grandma's Marathon in Duluth in a time of 2:19:12, his personal best. Pete Dodd also placed 44th at the 1984 Boston Marathon in 2:21:40.

In an email to Silent Sports, Richard said his brother "is still tearing up the roads in in southern and central Pennsylvania, where he moved in 1989." Pete Dodd ran his last marathon in 1990, however, Richard said.

In his 1985 tribute to Pete, Richard made no mention of his own 2:19:38 at the 1983 Lakefront Marathon. Soon thereafter, according to Moe's column, he quit the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse track team rather than curb his drinking. He wound up with three DUIs and, in 2006, a seven-month stint in jail.

His recent renewed focus on running appears to be integral to Richard Dodd's recovery. On that path, he's sure to inspire a new generation of citizen athletes.