Charles "Chuck" Smead is an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 long distance runner, who made his most significant mark on the sport taking second in the Marathon

Marathon

The marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...

 at the 1975 Pan American Games

1975 Pan American Games

The 7th Pan American Games were held in Mexico City, Mexico, from October 12 to October 26, 1975, exactly twenty years after the 2nd Pan American Games were held there...

 in Mexico City

Mexico City

Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...

.

Originally from Santa Paula High School

Santa Paula High School

Santa Paula High School is one of two schools in the Santa Paula Union High School District. It is located in Santa Clara Valley in Santa Paula, California. It is home of the Cardinals.-History:...

 in Santa Paula, California

Santa Paula, California

Santa Paula is a city within Ventura County, California, United States. The population was 29,321 at the 2010 census, up from 28,598 at the 2000 census...

, where he was an outstanding 2 miler, taking second place at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational

Arcadia Invitational

Arcadia Invitational is among the most competitive high school track and field competitions in the United States. It has been billed as "Home of National Records." The meet is held at Arcadia High School in Arcadia, California, on the second weekend in April...

 in 1968.

He continued to excel in long distance at Humboldt State University

Humboldt State University

Humboldt State University is the northernmost campus of the California State University system, located in Arcata within Humboldt County, California, USA. The main campus, nestled at the edge of a coast redwood forest, is situated on Preston hill overlooking Arcata and with commanding views of...

, where he won the NCAA Division II 6 mile/10000 metre Championship twice. In 1972 he began a string of three straight wins in the famous Pikes Peak Marathon

Pikes Peak Marathon

The Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon is a racing event that begins at the base of Pikes Peak, in Manitou Springs, Colorado, and climbs over 7,700 feet to the top of the 14,115 foot peak...

, he added a fourth victory in 1976. He has completed the race six times, the most recent as a 57 year old. He also won the Avenue of the Giants Marathon in 1974

In the 1970s he was one of the early luminaries of ultramarathoning, yet as a Senior

Senior Olympics

The National Senior Games or "Senior Olympics" is a sports competition for seniors from the United States. It is a multi-sport event specifically devoted to adults aged 50+ . It is composed of regional competitions held yearly in all American states...

 athlete he is not above sprinting 100 metres. He was twice ranked in the United States top ten in the marathon.

Smead has been credited with spreading the sport of ultramarathoning into Europe

Europe

Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...