Desmond Dunham - Running Against The Odds: An Inspirational Journey to Making High School Sports History

I met Desmond Dunham for the first time some twenty years ago when he arrived mid-August to RunningWorks, a camp for high school cross country runners. At the time, I remember thinking his team was composed mostly of sprinters, and it struck me as odd that he would subject them to the gruels of cross country running. I came to realize during that week at camp that the young runners from Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, Maryland, had the deepest respect for their coach and were simply happy to be there with him.

Over the years, Desmond attended many of my coaching clinics. A distance runner since high school, Desmond was always committed to cross country himself and went on to lead Eleanor Roosevelt to national acclaim both in cross country and track. Unorthodox as it may have been, he was committed to learning as much about the aerobic system as he could, and he believed in its importance in the development of his short and long sprinters.

If you ever have the opportunity to meet Desmond, he will immediately engage you. Disarmingly soft-spoken, you quickly realize his intensity and genuine passion for coaching. His devotion to his athletes is centered around the whole person, providing them with structure, emphasizing dedication, and above all else, leading with much needed care and kindness. He is an enthusiastic man full of curiosity in his search to become a better coach and has an insatiable appetite for knowledge. His work ethic is second to none and, therefore, the foundation of what makes him a great, tenacious coach.

What I saw twenty years ago was just a sliver of who Desmond really is. His journey is revealed in this book. It is a coming-of-age story about growing up in Gary, Indiana, the once vibrant city of the early 1960s. With the failing steel industry, the city began to quickly decompose, and by the late 80s, it had fully transformed from being the Magic City to the Murder Capital of America, infested with drugs and gangs. Devoid of a consistent and positive father figure in his home, Desmond learned to navigate life and came to the realization that he could be a better version of himself, despite the numerous challenges brought on by his circumstances. Predominately Black, Gary was a segregated city, a classic example of Americas systemic racism conveniently overlooked. Desmonds journey was more doomed for failure than success from the start. Fortunately, he found the sport of cross country, and it forever changed his life. He encountered two very important coaches along the way who continued to help shape him to become the person he is today. You do become your influences, both the good and the bad. However, you have a choice. This is the story of Desmonds choice. His positive attitude was tested often, with setbacks and disappointments, yet he overcame all odds, ultimately recognizing that he lives in an imperfect and unjust world but that it simply cannot be his reason for failure.

Each chapter is layered on the last with valuable and insightful lessons. Desmond innately gravitates toward helping others and through education and coaching creates a positive environment for Americas often marginalized youth to survive, grow, and prosper. His meaningful life can be an inspiration to everyone. Yes, Desmonds book includes wonderfully depicted races culminating with the Penn Relays. But, most importantly, you will witness how one individual, through his own personal journey, can make such a profound difference in the lives of others.

Marcus OSullivan

Villanova University Mens Track and Field & Cross Country Head Coach, Four-Time Olympian