Joe Wasserman was elected to the HOF in 2002. He has been a Strider for almost 30 years. Joe started running in 1977, and has completed 54 marathons (22 under 3:10) and eight ultramarathons. His “PRs” include 5:21 for the mile; 18:16 for 5K; 37:24 for 10K; 57:38 for 15K in Run Around the Block, Rhode Island; 60:06 for 10 miles in the Cherry Blossom; 1:21:06 for the half marathon in the Philadelphia Distance Run; 2:56:03 for the marathon in the 1983 Marine Corp; 3:51:47 for 50K and 4:28:31 in the National Capital 36-Mile Run; and 8:10:32 in the JFK 50 Mile Race . He qualified for the Boston Marathon 12 straight years starting in 1983, and ran a Boston PR of 2:58:09 in 1987. He was also a member of the 1984 Striders’ record setting 24-hour relay team (10 master runners) that clocked 241 miles. His PR for the 24 hour- relay is an average of 5:43 per mile.
Joe directed the Metric Marathon, and was was Volunteer of the Year in 1989, mainly for his effort in injecting new life into that race. He has volunteered at almost all of the club’s races. He also co-directed a number of weekly series, and was the first person to set up water stops for the Bagel Run. His public relations efforts have brought national attention to the Bagel Run, which is the heart and soul of the Striders. In addition, he created a number of special Bagel Run events, including milestone birthday celebrations, the Bagel-to-Bagel-to Bagel annual run, and Howard County’s 1st 26.2 mile race, the Masochist Marathon.