Mike Dunlap
Mike met Dick Beardsley in the fall of 1978 when Dick enrolled at SDSU. They immediately formed a close friendship that continues to this day. They were teammates that fall on the cross country team that finished second in the NCAAII national cross country meet. They’ve shared many interesting adventures since that first meeting. They have traveled to races around the US, hosted running camps (3 in South Dakota) (12 in Minnesota) and shared many training miles. They’ve shared in each other’s passion for fishing and cycling. Whenever these two get together a good time is guaranteed!
My Story
Mike grew up on a dairy farm near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He attended high school in Lennox, SD where he excelled in Track and Cross Country. He still has a top 3 all time performance for 1600 meters (4:23.4) and 3200 meters (9:37.6) in the history of Lennox Track and Field. He attended South Dakota State University where he received his BS and MS degrees in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. He held SDSU school records for 10,000 meters (30:29) and the marathon (2:20:31). He also formed his lifelong friendship with Dick Beardsley in the fall of 1978.
Mike had a 20-year running career. He completed 11 marathons, winning 4 of them. He finished top 10 in all his marathons except his fastest – Boston(1983), when he finished in 69th place in 2:18:26. Chronic knee injuries lead him to cycling in 1991. He took the same passion/obsession he had for running to his cycling. He has competed in endurance cycling events throughout the US. From 24 hour cycling races (422 miles) to Race Across America (3000 miles) and Race Across the West (860 miles).
Mike has worked in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation therapy since 1989. He is certified by the American College of Sports Medicine as a clinical Exercise Physiologist/Program Director. He is a Fellow of the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. He loves to present to groups the many benefits of regular exercise.
He currently manages the CarolinaEast Medical Center’s Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation program where he has worked since 2012.
Mike and his wife, Karen have been married since 1980 and have three children and one grandchild.