JIM RAMSEY    1907 -   2004
- By Doug Kurtis

Jim Ramsey, one of Michigan's most beloved runners, died last Friday at the age of 96.   Jim holds the record of being the oldest runner in the Detroit Free Press Marathon, completing it just a few days shy of his 91 st birthday in 1998.   He has held the title of oldest marathoner for the past 23 years.


Photo by Carter Sherline

Jim Ramsey was an inspiration to many runners in Michigan and surrounding states. Few have accomplished so much in their running careers after starting so late.

His golden years were just that, he didn't just win gold age group medals; he won the hearts of so many runners like myself because of his gentle demeanor, his kindness and affable personality. The moment you stood next to him you wanted to touch his shoulder or shake his hand and extend the affection he always afforded you.   There was greatness in his eyes and smile that went far beyond his running acumen.

A mild heart attack at age 68 and his doctor's suggestion to start walking got him started exercising.   He found walking too slow and started jogging.   The quarter mile track around Central High became his starting blocks and marathoning soon took him all over the country.  

He ran in hundreds of races but loved running 26.2 mile events. His first was the Detroit Free Press International Marathon at age 73 which he completed in 4:43:15.   He also competed in the Boston marathon and many others. During his running career he set several national single age group records for the marathon, 25K and 10K races. He was a proud member of the Motor City Striders for seventeen years and his home is full of trophies that reflect his running accomplishments.

His wife of seventy years, Julia, now deceased, raised six children that all went on to complete college degrees. Daughter Brenda Njiwaji was often seen accompanying her father at races.

Running allowed him to serve several noteworthy community causes.   Between 1983-1991, the Museum of Afro-American History (MAAH) in Detroit sponsored the Jim Ramsey Street Race as a fund-raiser and increased the museum's visibility in the community.   For the past twenty years he raised money for the Special Olympics through the Crim Ten Mile Run in Flint. For almost ten years he solicited pledges for the Huron House Boys' Residential Home in Bright's Grove, Ontario and the Arthritis Foundation of Michigan. At the age of 93 he completed 19 miles of the Honolulu Marathon as a fundraiser. It would be the last marathon he attempted.

His most memorable accomplishment was participating in a series of NAACP marches during the 1980's for voter registration.   At the age of 78, he was the oldest of twenty-two Core Marchers selected by the NAACP to march 3,000 miles across the United States to protest South African "apartheid" and to encourage voter participation here at home.

In 1998 he was voted the Outstanding Male Athlete in his age division by USA Track & Field.   In 1999, he was awarded the Governor's Fitness Council, "Male Amateur Athlete of the Year-State of Michigan.

Oprah Winfrey featured Ramsey on her" Remembering Your Spirit" recognition show. All of us who were fortunate to cross his path will remember his competitive spirit and love for running. It was truly inspiring to all who saw him run across a finish line .