Posted: July 18, 2007

Athletics (RRW): Tragic News - Mike Long Passes Away

From David Monti © 2007 Race Results Weekly, all rights reserved RaceResultsWeekly.com The running industry lost one of its best people last night or early this morning, a man who was as beloved as he was respected. Mike Long, the longtime elite athletes coordinator a San Diego's Elite Racing died in his sleep last night. His death was confirmed by one of Elite's principals, Tracy Sundlun. The medical details surrounding his death are unknown at this time. "He was the heart and soul of Elite," said Sundun, reached on his mobile phone while vacationing in Upstate New York. The Elite Racing office was closed today to mourn Long's death. Long was held in the highest esteem by both athletes and their managers for his expertise in the sport, his intuitive sense of fair play and a natural ability to make everyone feel special. He recruited the elite fields for the Rock 'N' Roll Marathon and Half-Marathon series, the Country Music Marathon, and the Carlsbad 5000 amongst other events. NOTE: RRW extends its deepest sympathies to everyone at Elite Racing. Jane, Bob and I will miss Mike terribly. --Ed. Subscribe to the Runner's Web Weekly Digest