V 15 N. 67 A Family of Distance Runners, Leonard 'Sonny' Truex (Max's Cousin) R.I.P.

 Wow, here's one I never heard of even though I grew up in Ohio.   Leonard  'Sonny' Truex was a cousin of Max Truex, US Olympian in 1956 and 60 and former US record holder in the 10,000.   Leonard was not only Max's cousin, he was a hell of a good runner having come 4th in the 1500m O trials in 1952.

Leonard graduated from Lima (OH) Central High School (probably about 1948 or 1949) and matriculated to Ohio State.  Cousin Max was from down the pike (60 miles) in Warsaw, Indiana and found his way to the West Coast via  University of Southern California.   Leonard's brother Ron was also noted as a good high school runner in his own obituary.  

The following clipping from the Lima News, June 10, 1956  indicates Len won the Central Collegiates meet mile in 4:14.

The next story about his career ending injury that appears in local papers.

Obituary for Leonard 'Sonny' Truex (below)

1500 METERS  NCAA Meet  1952

1. Bob McMillen (Oxy) ...........................................Sr ...............3:50.7 (MR)

 2. Joe LaPierre (Georgetown) ...............................Jr ................3:52.1

 3. Fred Dwyer (Villanova) ......................................Jr ................3:52.9

 4. Len Truex (Ohio State) ......................................Sr ...............3:53.3 

5. John Ross' (Michigan) ......................................So ..............3:55.4 

6. Bob Simon (Stanford) .......................................Jr ................3:56.6 

7. Len Simpson (Cal) .............................................So ..............3:57.4 

8. Dick Towers (Kansas State) ..............................Sr ...............4:00.6

"Yes, I do remember him."  Dennis Kavanaugh

1952 Olympic Trials Results

1500 m
1	Robert McMillen	USA	3.49.3	TR
2	Warren Dreutzler	USA	3.50.8
3	Javier Montes	USA	3.51.1
4	Leonard Truex	USA	3.52.5
5	Fred Dwyer	USA	3.52.6
6	Joseph LaPierre	USA	3.53.2
7	Frank McBride	USA	3.55.5
8	Ted Wheeler	USA	3.56.2
American Athletes at Olympic 1952 Bill Stewart's coach Frank McBride was 7th . He was XC and Track coach coach at Wayne State. Ted Wheeler of Iowa was last. He ran at UCTC. McBride's quote was "Athletic sweat doesn't smell." Ask Bill. Ned Price