What follows is the tribute offered by Don McNelly, close friend of Sy Mah and runner of hundreds of marathons and ultras. Don traveled from his home in Rochester, NY, to attend the dedication and participate in the 24-Hour National Championship the next day.

§ § § § §

We are gathered here to honor Sy Mah, a distinguished citizen of Toledo, a world record holder, a gentleman, and a mentor for many of his fellow runners, from all over North America.

He started his marathon career with his first in 1967 and was soon caught up in the sport.

He was the most supportive runner I have ever met. I think the word supportive best describes the Sy that I knew. Many times, he would adopt a beginning runner and by his example and encouragement, guide him or her to the finish line. During a race he often sacrificed his finishing time by adding a half hour or longer to his time to see that they achieved their dream of finishing the marathon. By his example, his goals, and most of all by his encouragement, he made me and many others into mega-marathoners.

Tonight we will hear many Sy Mah stories. I have a closet full. I will limit myself to one that is especially meaningful to me that illustrates the supportive man he was.

Some background. I organized a number of ultra marathons in Rochester, including a 24-hour on the University track to support our local children's hospital. He came to Rochester and ran all of them.

I had known Sy for maybe 15 years when I started another 50K race on a Rochester area high school cinder track. Sy ran them. After some time, knowing that Sy was looking to add to his total marathons and ultras, I mentioned to him that I was considering making the 50K a double, and having two ultras, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. He enthusiastically jumped on the idea and suggested that I give the two races two different names and distances so that people would know that there were two legitimate runs. Thus were born the Lilac City 50K and the Irondequoit 60K. 1 did it for him, but I and other local runners benefited. I knew he liked doubles, as he could add two numbers to his already impressive totals over a weekend and cut the average cost in half.

He used to do a triple over Labor Day weekend, by doing a marathon in Port Huron, Michigan, on Saturday, moving on to Waterloo, Ontario, for a 50K on Sunday, and the next day into my home town, Rochester, New York, for our Labor Day marathon. He did this for many years.

And now my meaningful Sy Mah story. I was diagnosed with prostate cancer near the end of 1987. He found out about my problem and phoned me every week to check on how I was doing, keeping up my morale and advising me what to do - his solution was to eat something yellow every day! I appreciated his support. I was treated successfully and recovered fully.

Soon after that he developed problems of his own. I had to return the favor. I called him every week to support and encourage him. However, he was going downhill steadily. His voice became lower, his speech slower.

The time for the double was coming up. He was no longer able to run or walk a marathon. He said he wanted to come to the Rochester track, have me provide him with a chair and supply of water and cups, so he could sit on the edge of the track and hand out water to his fellow runners. Again, he was in character as he was being supportive.

Unfortunately he never made it to Rochester to hand out the water.

We honor a great man, a world-class marathoner recognized by Guinness, and a great friend. I miss him and think of him during every marathon, as I will tomorrow.