Johnny Faerber

hirunning on March 11, 2022

Johnny Faerber is a prominent figure in Hawaii’s running history for his performances in the open and masters’ divisions, as well as for his successful coaching career. He has inspired, nurtured, and motivated hundreds of aspiring runners throughout his extensive coaching career.

Born in Romania, Johnny spent much of his childhood in German refugee camps before migrating to the United States in 1952. He lettered in cross country in Los Angeles and has been involved with cross country, track, or road racing in one way or another since then. In the military, he became an Army airborne officer and completed Ranger and Special Forces School. After the military, he joined the Peace Corps and was assigned to the Hawaii Training Center in 1963, eventually joining the University of Hawaii track team in 1964.

Highlights

  • Johnny’s first real taste of victory came in the1957 National Burro Derby in Southern California, a 43-mile trek through the desert with a burro in tow. He won the race 2 more times (1960 and 1966).
  • Won the Hawaiian Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Marathon in 1967 and 1969.
  • Won the first Maui Marathon in 1971.
  • Named “Runner of the Year” in 1971 by the Mid-Pacific Road Runners Club.
  • Won the first official Run to the Sun, a 37.5-mile race from sea level to 10,000 feet to the summit of Haleakala Crater on Maui, in 1978.
  • Teamed with Jim Gallup and Dave Cadiz to win the AAU National Masters Team, part of the 1976 Honolulu Marathon.
  • Teamed again with Jim Gallup and Mike Tymn to win the same title as part of the 1977 New York City Marathon.
  • Teamed again with Jim Gallup and Mike Tymn to take 2nd place in the Nike National 10K team championship in San Diego.
  • Completed the Western States 100-mile race in 1981 under 24 hours to earn the coveted Silver Belt Buckle.
  • Recorded a 2:36.47 at age 41 in the 1977 Honolulu Marathon.
  • Internationally, was 3rd overall in the Hungary Marathon, 4th overall in the Tahiti Marathon and competed successfully in other international long-distance events.

Coaching

Johnny is probably best known for his coaching style and success. He coached at Mid Pacific Institute for two years, then at the University of Hawaii for nearly 30 years (1972-2000). He has a running club named after him, the Faerber’s Flyers, which started in 1980 as an all-women’s running club. In 1982, the Faerber’s Flyers organized the first All Men’s 10K with over 900 entrants. The race later became co-ed and was re-named the Johnny Faerber 10K, which will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year.

Johnny is a certified national official for track and field and officiates for USA Track and Field (USATF) events in Eugene, including the Prefontaine and the upcoming World Championships in July 2022.

Johnny and his wife Janet have lived in Cottage Grove, Oregon since 2002. Janet passed away in March 2022.