Some are inducted into the HOF because of their running prowess.  Others because of their service to the club and the running community.  Tunde Morakinyo easily satisfies both criteria.

As a runner, Tunde’s accomplishments are exceptional.  An active Strider since 1998 and a member of the Racing Team since 2012, he’s been named Grandmaster Runner of the Year twice, in 2016 and 2018 and Senior Grandmaster Runner of the Year for 2024.  Interestingly, he was also named Most Improved Runner twice, in 1999 and 2001.  He’s run over 50 marathons with a PR of 2:59:12 at the Philly Marathon in 2013 and similarly impressive PRs in other distances such a 1:22:22 half, 36:57 10K and 17:52 5K.  Always a competitive racer, he is dependably a top scorer on Strider Master and Grandmaster teams at Club Challenge, Cherry Blossom and the like.  As further evidence of his ability, he notably won his AG at the Chicago Marathon in 2021—not an easy feat at a major marathon!  He has been a regular AG winner or podium finisher at major regional road races over the years.  His AG wins include, but are not limited to, Shamrock 5K (5x), Annapolis 10M (4x), Celtic Solstice (4x), Clyde’s 10K (3x), Richmond Marathon (2024, 2018), Cherry Blossom 10M (2021), Chicago Marathon (2021), and San Diego Marathon (2019), not to mention the many other podium finishes at these and other races.

A particular testament to his running prowess is his success on the track as a Great Grandmaster.  While most runners move to longer distances as they age and lose leg speed, Tunde took the challenge in the opposite direction, hitting the track to place 2^nd at the USATF Masters Nationals 1500 in 2024 and record an amazing 4:54 1500 meters and an eventual 12^th place finish at the World Masters Indoor Championships in 2025.  

Some of Tunde’s best times:

DISTANCE	PERSONAL RECORD
1M	4:58
5K	17:52
5M	31:20
10K	36:57
10M	1:02:26
13.1M	1:22:22
26.2M	2:59:12

As a contributor to the running community, he has coached countless runners over the years in the Next Step program.  Similarly, as a Baltimore Pacer, he helped undoubtedly hundreds of marathoners achieve their goals.  One of Tunde’s notable characteristics is that he runs his easy runs at a remarkably modest pace relative to his races and aggressive workouts.  A nice side effect is that while he still trains often with the elite members of the racing team, he also runs many miles with a large number of the less competitive Striders.  The result:  he is one of the most well-known and well-liked Striders.

Dr. Morakinyo is a respected psychologist in the community and while other racing team members may view him as a fierce competitor, he only sees teammates and friends.  Still, his joy of training and his long history of excellence has been an inspiration to so many other Striders, not only to strive for their competitive best at any age but also to savor the joy of running with friends.