The David Torrence Mile & The Torrence Cup
David Torrence has been a large part of the success of the Hoka One One Long Island Mile right from the beginning. In our inaugural year we knew it was imperative for the legitimacy of our event to bring in a strong field of athletes who would not only race well, but have patience in dealing with first time meet directors. Kyle, acting in the roll of elite athlete coordinator, reached out to his buddy David to ask if he would come run. His presence would put other elite athletes at ease knowing there would be a real quality of competition.
With much enthusiasm, David agreed to come. Not only did he participate, but he won the race in a still-standing meet record of 3:53.91, a time that was impressive for the fans to watch, and turned the heads of a few athletes that would decide to come race the mile in later years. After his victory, he hyped up the crowd and signed autographs until the lights were turned off. In 2016, he came back as a Long Island fan favorite and did not let his new backers down. He won, once again, in dominant fashion.
In late August of 2017, David was all revved up and ready for his third appearance on the island. Sadly, it never materialized as we lost David on August 28th of that year. He died tragically in a pool accident in Arizona, leaving his new found fans and fellow competitors on Long Island heavy hearted.
Torrence was an incredible competitor with historic range. He held personal bests of 1:45.1 (800m), 3:33.2 (1500m), 3:52.0 (mile), 7:40 (3k), 13:16 (5k). The highlight of his career would come by representing his mother’s native country of Peru at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
While his success on track cannot be overstated, it pales in comparison to the impact he made off of it. He had a presence and likability that attracted competitors and fans alike. As David’s triumphs piled on, it only added to further his humility. He was quick to give advice, and to ask and answer questions. It was impossible to leave a conversation with him without a rejuvenated sense of hunger to go faster.
There has been a hole left unfilled in both the world of professional track and field, and at the Hoka One One Long Island Mile with David’s absence. We draw inspiration from his efforts here and memorialize his successes in the new name of the elite men’s race: “The David Torrence Mile.” When the winners raise up the Torrence Cup, they will do so in celebration of a life well-lived and of a friend who is dearly missed.
