D'Addio, Danny

item
Player Name
D'Addio, Danny
Type
Athlete
Sport
Marathon Running
Inducted
2010
Era
1971 – 1990
Description
In 1974, at 37, Danny D’Addio and the members of The Niagara Falls Rotary Club were invited to a luncheon at the local YMCA. A member of the fitness class interrupted the meeting, suggesting their time would be better spent working out in their noon fitness program. Danny took up the challenge and enrolled the next day. Within months he discovered he had an extraordinary talent for running—especially marathons, exhibiting both the speed and endurance needed for the 42.2-kilometre (26 miles) event. That summer, Danny entered a YMCA regional cross-country race in Hamilton where he finished first in his age division, proving to himself that he could compete at a higher level. The competitive spirit was now in his blood, and with the help of a local seasoned marathon runner he set out on a training program that would see him become one of the top long-distance runners in the area, on either side of the border.
In 1976 he accomplished a feat that was rare at the time: he ran two marathons in one week. The first was on Labour Day Monday at Rochester, New York, and the following Saturday he won his age division at a marathon in Erie, Pennsylvania. Danny routinely medalled in the newly organized Skylon International Marathon, from Buffalo to Niagara Falls, taking individual and team awards as a member of Track Niagara. As well, he competed in notable events such as the Boston Marathon, Blossom Festival, Run for the Grapes and the historic Man-a-Mile race from Niagara-on-the-Lake to Oakes Park.
Already a premier runner in his age group, Danny became eligible to run in the Masters division when he turned 40. Perfection was his goal and he began training with area marathoner Don Howison, who had been named to the 1980 Canadian Olympic Team. His workout regimen included running up to 100 miles a week. Danny’s achievements caught the eye of the Canadian Track Association, and in 1980 he was invited to represent Canada in the World Masters Championships in Berlin, Germany.
He placed sixth, with a time of 2:26. With all his accomplishments Danny had a passion for his city, illustrated by the countless hours he dedicated to volunteer service. Although he retired from competitive running in the late 1980s, he retained his spirit for a good challenge, and redirected his energies to cycling as his choice of recreation. He passed away in 2009 at age 71.
Inducted at ceremony held on January 17, 2010.
Subject
Niagara Falls Virtual Sports Wall of Fame
Awards
Portraits - Biographical
Sports - Recreation - Leisure