If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon.

An athlete cannot run with money in his pockets. He must run with hope in his heart and dreams in his head.

I was unable to walk for a whole week after that, so much did the race take out of me. But it was the most pleasant exhaustion I have ever known.

Great is the victory, but the friendship of all is greater.

I was not talented enough to run and smile at the same time

By a persistent effort of will it is possible to change the whole body. The athlete must always keep in mind this concept of change and progression. He must never accept his limitations as being permanent, because they are not.

When I was young, I was too slow. I thought I must learn to run fast by practicing to run fast, so I ran 100 meters fast 20 times. Then I came back, slow,slow,slow. People said, 'Emil, you are crazy. You are training like a sprinter.'