Background

For David Krummenacker, 2002 “was pretty much beyond anything I had dreamed of.” From Boston to Stockholm, he set records and personal bests, including a 3:31.93 for 1500m in Stockholm that made him the fifth-fastest American ever. By season’s end David had defeated some of the biggest names in the sport, was ranked #3 in the world at 800 meters, and was crowned the fastest 800m-1500m doubler in U.S. history. Add to that: he was the first man in more than 25 years to hold the #1 U.S. ranking for 800m and 1500m in the same year. He capped things off by outkicking World Record-holder Wilson Kipketer to win the 2003 World Indoor title.

David counts surfing, which he learned during childhood visits to his grandmother on Long Island, among his hobbies, and he has often headed to Hawaii at the end of track season to indulge. In an interview a few years ago, he explained, “I don’t go into the 20-foot waves or anything. I know my territory. I watch other guys and I’m thinking, how do you ever get the guts to do stuff like that?  For me, it’s so relaxing to be out there on the water. [One time] I saw something in the water and I was kind of scared for a minute, but then a turtle came up and laid its head on my surfboard and I realized, it doesn’t get any better than this.”