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He Was Everybody’s Friend Print E-mail
Written by Tracey Cohen   
Friday, 16 April 2010 08:15

Heat, Hills and Humidity are your friends.

John “Roadkill” Rogucki created and lived by this phrase once he realized that training through challenging circumstances made him a better, stronger runner.  He shared his newfound wisdom and love of running with anyone who cared to listen.

“A very likable guy, a friend to all, an excellent long distance runner and an ambassador of the sport” is how Doug Goodhue remembers his friend of more than twenty years.

“John ran twenty sub-three hour marathons including fifteen in a row!” Goodhue boasted.  “John was the reason that I quit running marathons; I couldn’t beat him!  He made me the runner that I am today.”


John did not discover his love of running until after he returned from serving his country in Vietnam.  He ultimately went to work for General Motors at the Milford Proving Grounds, a stone’s throw away from Kensington Metro Park.  Goodhue described how John ran at Kensington nearly every day on his lunch break, and more often than not recruited others to join him.  John treasured being able to counsel and motivate all runners but especially the beginners who often became hooked for life.

After John passed away on April 17, 1997 from brain cancer, his widow, Joanie, created the John Rogucki Memorial Fund.  Initially Joanie’s fundraising efforts supported children’s running programs, but with the help of others, the fund grew, as did its benefactors.

When Joanie took on race director responsibilities for the Kensington Challenge, which fittingly became the John Rogucki Memorial Kensington Challenge, Joanie asked the Ann Arbor Track Club where John served as a “running guru” for athletes of all abilities, to help manage it.  Joanie continues to head the fund but asked Goodhue who readily agreed, to step in as custodian when she moved to Arizona in 2008.

The John Rogucki Memorial 27th Annual Kensington Challenge will be held on September 18, 2010.  Proceeds of the fund will support the Wounded Warrior Project whose mission is to honor and empower soldiers who have been injured during their service, a direct connection to John’s commitment and love for his country, which he so dutifully served.  Additionally, every year the JRMF allocates money to support the running programs of Washtenaw Community College and Ann Arbor Track Club’s Youth.

Not to be forgotten are the annual registration reimbursements for high school athletes who participate in the Great Lakes Relay, the impetus behind John’s nickname, Roadkill.  GLR challenges teams comprised of 10 members each to run across the northern part of Michigan in three days.  John’s friend and teammate, Dave Armstrong, described how “John was able to get more out of his scrawny body than anyone would have expected.”

Goodhue who was also a member of the team depicted how in August 1997, John’s teammates ran GLR in his honor and were first to cross the finish line.  “It was the greatest thing that I have ever been a part of.  I cried.”

John’s physique may be gone, but his soul lives strong and well through his family, friends and the sport that he loved and gave so much.

Anyone interested in donating to or requesting funds from the JRMF can contact Joanie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Last Updated on Thursday, 20 May 2010 20:50