Rick Becker: Still Putting the Hammer Down after All These Years
Rick Becker is all smiles after winning the World Cross-Country Championship on March 23, 2025, in the age 70 division. Team USA also won the gold medal yesterday cross-country.
Image Credit: Rick Becker
He has been a friend for over 40 years and is a remarkable individual in many ways. Together, we pursued our dreams as young men, encouraging each other to reach new heights and transforming our "easy runs" into almost race-like experiences back in the day.
With a shared grin, we would exclaim, "It's time to put the hammer down!"—a reminder to seize every moment of the run with passion. Those “easy runs” often clocked in the low to mid-5-minute range, or even faster at times, each of us eagerly testing the other's limits, encouraging one another to dig deeper and embrace the challenge. We would run as fast as we could to see who would drop first.
That’s what friends are for, right? Push the other guy to see who drops first!
Only a runner can understand the importance of pushing limits like that and the unique bond that develops as a result. This is a time to connect, support one another, and enjoy the camaraderie that comes from striving to reach one's God-given potential.
Rick Becker and I were part of the Reebok-Evergreen Harriers team, running side by side as post-collegiate athletes and forging a bond that has lasted a lifetime with our teammates.
Even decades after I retired from competitive running at the age of 29, my friendship with Rick continued to thrive. He never stopped racing; in fact, he has continued to improve over the years. Rick has become a multiple-time national champion, excelling in events ranging from 3,000 meters to 10,000 meters, and he truly embodies the spirit of perseverance.
Rick’s journey encompasses more than just victories. With three world championships as a master's runner, his story reflects relentless determination, an unyielding spirit, grit, and deep faith in God.
Over the past year, Rick embarked on an incredible journey as he trained for the World Masters Cross Country Championships once again in Florida. Just a month ago, he was at the pinnacle of his fitness, brimming with excitement and ready to compete.
Then, life threw him a curveball—a slight hamstring tear threatened to derail his dreams. At that moment, he felt a wave of devastation wash over him as if the finish line had suddenly moved out of reach. But instead of succumbing to despair, Rick chose to rise.
With a heart full of determination, he shifted his focus from racing to recovery, embracing the challenge ahead. Every day, he poured his energy into rehabilitation, proving to himself that setbacks are merely setups for comebacks. His resilience not only reignited his passion but also inspired those around him.
Rick’s title this year was slipping away physically, or so it seemed, but he refused to let that injury define him. Rather than take a complete break for healing, Rick dove into cross-training—pushing himself with workouts twice, sometimes even three times a day. He was determined to stay fit, hoping he could still participate in the world championship competition.
His mornings were transformed into an empowering ritual that fueled his passion for fitness. He started his day with an exhilarating hour-long workout on his preferred exercise machines—the elliptical or the Arc Trainer.
Rick began his warm-up, then pushed himself with five intense intervals, each lasting five minutes, followed by ten one-minute maximum-effort bursts. It was like racing against his limits; he could feel the determination in every heavy breath he took.
Afterward, he switched gears and hit the outdoors on his bike, tackling those Yakima hills with fierce determination. Once he was done, he headed back to the gym to strengthen his hamstrings in the pool, followed by a rewarding 35 minutes in a sauna set to a sizzling 190 degrees. The benefits of the sauna are numerous, and he could feel the hard work paying off!
Remember, Rick is 70 years old! Every third day, he also dedicated 90 minutes to weightlifting, with a primary focus on his lower body.
In moments of uncertainty and despair about his injury, Rick turned to prayer, seeking reassurance and guidance. God answered swiftly. He filled Rick with peace, and Rick felt confident that incredible plans lay ahead for him at the World Championships.
About three weeks ago, he cautiously started running again, but he could still feel some strain in his hamstring, which made him a bit anxious. It was time to hit the prayer line again.
Now that he was back to running, he adjusted his training to include “just” one cross-training session daily instead of two. Overall, Rick was putting in about four hours of training each day, and it felt incredible, according to Rick!
Fast forward to the World Championships yesterday, March 23, 2025. Despite the hamstring still being a concern, Rick went on to win another world championship at the 6 K distance in cross-country, this time.
When Rick crossed that finish line, he couldn't help but lift his hands to the sky and shout, “Thank you, God!" After the race, he had the opportunity to share his faith and what it means to him with a couple of spectators who were curious about his win.
Through all of this, faith remains Rick’s anchor. His favorite Bible verses are Hebrews 12:1 and Jeremiah 29:11—both resonate deeply with him and inspire his journey forward.
Rick is gearing up to compete in the 3000 meters on Tuesday. His hamstring is a little sore, but He trusts that it will settle down by race day.
Rick’s message to coaches: “Please encourage your athletes to persevere through challenges; victory may be closer than they think.” Remember, with God, all things are possible”!
Go, Rick, get them in the 3000 meters, and don’t forget to put the hammer down even harder than you've ever done before!
Blessings,
Coach Weber
Philippians 4:13
You can see a video of Rick on the award stand after his victory here: Facebook
Update on 3/30/2025
After I shared my post about Rick winning the 6k world title in cross-country, he went on to achieve some incredible feats! Not only did he clinch the 3000-meter indoor world title, but he also won the 10k road race. Talk about a powerhouse! Rick's prowess earned him five gold medals at the world championships, including two outstanding team victories where the USA secured gold in both the 6K cross-country and the 10K road race.
Honestly, can you imagine having a week like that? Rick's world championship experience was nothing short of legendary, especially given his hamstring issues. Each race was filled with excitement, triumph, and unforgettable memories. What an extraordinary journey it has been for him!
Our Reebok team at the 1985 USA Cross-Country Championships in Raleigh, North Carolina. From left right: Kevin Adams, John Freeburg, Ron Johnson, Larry Weber, Rick Becker, Greg Kangas, and Russ Smith.
Rick proudly displaying his five gold medals at the Master's World Track and Field Championships.
Image Credit: Rick Becker