4.36 Malcolm East

<p>Running in the (19)70s Episode 4.36 Malcolm East - From Twickenham to Allegheny Glory</p><p>In this episode of <em>Running in the &#39;70s</em>, host Matthew Kleinosky sits down with Pennsylvania distance running legend Malcolm East. Originally from the UK, Malcolm transitioned from a youth spent playing soccer 90 minutes a day to emerging as a top-tier track and cross-country talent with Twickenham AC. As an 18-year-old, he made waves at Crystal Palace running a 9:00 flat 3,000m steeplechase and clocked an 8:14 3,000m flat—rivaling Ireland’s John Treacy among the fastest junior runners in Europe. </p><p>Malcolm recounts his path across the Atlantic, beginning with a brief, challenging stint at the University of Arkansas under John McDonnell. Battling homesickness, depression, and a severe stress fracture, Malcolm transferred to Western Pennsylvania&#39;s Community College of Allegheny County (CCAC/Allegheny). There, coached on the roads by miler Sam Barr and backed by program architect Neil Cohen, Malcolm thrived alongside a squad of international and East Coast talent. </p><p>Key topics and memories covered in this conversation include:</p><ul><li><p><strong>The CCAC Dynasty &amp; &quot;Run for Fun&quot; Lore:</strong> Training 100 miles a week around North Park, dominating the junior college ranks, winning individual national titles in cross-country, the 10,000m, and unexpectedly winning his debut 26.2 at the marathon national championships in Michigan. </p><p><br></p></li><li><p><strong>Tactics and Team Rivalries:</strong> Malcolm shares a candid, never-before-told story about dealing with anti-foreigner sentiment from team members by intentionally surging to lap them in the national 10,000m final before sitting back to take the victory. </p></li><li><p><strong>The Pittsburgh Great Race &amp; The 27:57 Record:</strong> His dominant three-year winning streak at Pittsburgh’s signature road race, including dropping a mid-race 4:20 mile past Mercy Hospital to break 28 minutes and seal the course record. </p></li><li><p><strong>Allegheny Nike &amp; Elite Road Racing:</strong> The birth of the powerhouse Allegheny Nike post-collegiate squad—where Tuesday nights at Oliver High School featured a dozen sub-2:20 marathoners—his signing with Nike via Jeff Hollister in Bermuda, and racing across the globe with mentors like Kevin Ryan. </p></li><li><p><strong>Resilience, Health, and Staying on the Roads:</strong> Malcolm opens up about living with a pacemaker, u