English professor still runs marathons at 72

When he’s not grading papers or teaching undergraduates the finer points of grammar, longtime English professor David Sonstroem is usually out running.

The 72-year-old Sonstroem has been taking daily runs for more than 30 years. In 2006, he was named the second fastest over-70 marathoner in the United States and 12th fastest marathoner in his age group in the world. Last year, New England Runner magazine named Sonstroem Connecticut’s top male runner in the 70-79 age category.

On Oct. 11, Sonstroem will put his skills to the test once again, when he joins thousands of other runners in his sixth appearance in the ING Hartford Marathon.

Sonstroem trains with his longtime UConn running buddies: Harry Johnson and George Scott, professors emeriti of business, and Thomas “Tim” Weinland, an emeritus professor of education.

For many years, they were joined by J.A. Cameron, a professor emeritus of molecular and cell biology who died in 1999. John Johnson, a local insurance representative and another running partner, also makes trips to the track when his schedule allows.

They’re a rowdy bunch. With a 10-mile run taking a little under two hours, there’s plenty of time for some good-natured razzing, in between discussions of world events, national politics, University news, and updates on people’s personal lives.

Sonstroem, a Harvard-educated expert on Victorian literature, usually brings a ‘daily word’ to share. Recently, it was ‘elevenses,’ a British expression for a light refreshment or snack taken mid-morning.

“It’s fun to move and to be outside with good people,” Sonstroem says. “We are constantly ribbing each other as we go along. But it’s all in good fun. It’s really the camaraderie of running together every day that I enjoy most.”