Village Of St. Joseph Honoring Track Star And Local Native Dickerson

The Champaign County village of St. Joseph will have a permanent marker to honor a world champion marathon runner from the town who also set records at the University of Illinois. 

At Tuesday's village board meeting, Mayor B.J. Hackler will sign a proclamation naming part of Main Street ‘Marianne Dickerson Memorial Run.’ 

Dickerson, who died in October at age 54, won a silver medal in the first marathon world championship for women in Helsinki, Finland in 1983. 

A two-time All-American at the U of I, she still holds the school’s record in the 10,000 meters. 

Hackler says it’s fitting to dedicate part of Main Street, which passes by St. Joseph-Ogden High School, where Dickerson set other records.

“She was the type of person that, whenever you see her in the store or on the street, she would always stop and ask about your family," he said. "I would ask her where she’s been and what she’s doing. She would always ask what’s new in town, what’s happening in St. Joseph. So as very much as she traveled, I think, was probably a goodwill ambassador to the village of St. Joseph and the St. Joseph-Ogden High School.”

Dickerson was an assistant girls’ coach last spring for her high school’s track and field team. She also held engineering and business degrees from the U of I, Michigan, and Harvard.

Hackler says the street sign honoring Dickerson will be in place by Wednesday morning. Marianne Dickerson Memorial Run will extend from the north end of Main Street, by the high school, and south to Evergreen.