Billy's Breakthrough - Bill Rodgers Autographed Lithograph - Boston Marathon

Description

Billy's Breakthrough - The 1975 Boston Marathon
Autographed by Bill Rodgers, this 18" x 24"lithograph is limited to an edition of 1000.
It has been printed on acid-free stock and was signed and numbered by the artist, Andrew Yelenak.
It will be shipped rolled in a 3" diameter tube rated to withstand 200lbs.
Bill Rodgers is a four time winner of both the Boston and NYC Marathons.
Bill Rodgers' breakthrough performance came in the 1975 Boston Marathon.
Unknown to the general public and wearing a hand-lettered Greater Boston Track Club t-shirt, he burst onto the national stage winning the race in an American and Course record of 2:09:55.
When told his time Bill responded, "It can't be true...I can't run that fast."
When the artist, Andrew Yelenak, first contacted Bill about doing this painting, he asked him what part of that 1975 marathon he remembered best.
Bill said, "My favorite part is my turning around the final corner at the top of the hill, above the straight shot to the finish. There were numerous motorcycles about me and people on each side of the street-but no other runners!
It still ranks as one of the most thrilling moments of my life."
This painting was two years in the making and painstakingly researched for historical accuracy.
Rodgers is pictured rounding the final turn from Hereford Street on to Ring Road, heading for the finish line. This lithograph was produced and signed in 1996.
Was it the Shoes?  The Prefontaine Connection
A little known bit of trivia involves the running shoes Bill wore that day.
In March of 1975 Rodgers placed an amazing 3rd in the World Cross-Country Championships in Morocco.
Based on that performance Steve Prefontaine, representing the new Nike Athletic Shoe Company, sent Bill a brand new pair of running shoes.
According to Bill's brother Charlie, "Pre apparently felt Bill was now worthy of a pair."
Bill wore them in the 1975 Boston Marathon because they were better than anything else he had.
The only problem was they were a little too big.
Bill had to stop once in the final miles to tighten the too large Nikes, yet he still managed an American and Course record.