William “Buzz” Sawyer
Year Inducted
1986
Sport
Track
William “Buzz” Sawyer was an All-American track and cross country runner at North Carolina State. He won the AAU South Atlantic Region indoor 2-mile and outdoor 3-mile championships. In 1957 he was ranked seventh in the world.
“Buzz” was selected for the United States track team and toured Greece, Turkey, Iran and India, going undefeated in the 7K and 3K runs. In 1962, he won his sixth consecutive South Atlantic Region AAU indoor and outdoor 2-mile championships.
“Buzz” formed the Cumberland Valley Athletic Club to promote track and field in the county, helping develop youngsters in the sport. He coached many state championship runners.
In 1963, he responded to President John F. Kennedy’s plan for a “Physical Fit America” and initiated the “Fifty-Mile Hike/Run.” The JFK 50 Mile is the oldest, largest and most prestigious ultramarathon in the country.
IN THE NEWS…
JFK 50 – America’s Oldest Ultramarathon
In 1963, President John F. Kennedy unintentionally played a role that provided the spark to ignite interest for ultrarunning both in America and elsewhere. The door was flung open for all who wanted to challenge themselves. An unexpected 50-mile frenzy swept across America like a raging fire that dominated the newspapers for weeks…