By Kelli Saunders
Staff Writer
Bang! The starter pistol sounds and Mira Costa alumnus Jeff Atkinson is off to the races.
Atkinson set school-wide track records at Mira Costa and Stanford University and later returned to Costa in 2015 to coach cross country students.
“You try to train to be the best runner you can ever be and if a record comes your way, it is extremely satisfying to see that your hard work in practice has been reflected,” Atkinson said. “The main goal, however, is to have fun.”
Atkinson’s passion for running was sparked when he was in eighth grade and placed first overall in the Torrance Beach two-mile race against older and more experienced opponents. During the summer prior to his freshman year, he began training with Costa’s cross country team and competed in both cross country and track throughout high school. He broke the two-mile record in track with a time of 9:03.77, a record that still holds today, during his senior year.
“My mindset in high school was just to do the best I possibly could and to do it better than the previous day, while staying under control and according to the plan,” Atkinson said.
Atkinson broke the Stanford school record for the mile in 1986 at 3:55.16, which still stands today.
“Competing in the Olympics is always something in the back of your mind,” Atkinson said. “You dream about it, and it’s normally not a practical goal, but you get up the ladder as you get better, and then some of those opportunities are more attainable.
Photos: Atkinson runs for Costa
After setting the record in the 1,500 meter at 3:38.12 at Stanford, Atkinson went on to set the American record in 1989 for being the fastest man to run 1,500 meters, giving him the title of the National Indoor champion.
He then traveled to Budapest, Hungary to compete in the Track and Field World Indoor Championships, finishing with a bronze medal. Atkinson competed in the 1,500 during the 1988 Olympics, finishing in tenth place for the United States.
“Competing in the Olympics is the highest honor of any athletic experience,” Atkinson said. “It’s a true world championship, so being able to be a representation of the people of your country is a unique experience.”
After retiring from running professionally, Atkinson coached at Palos Verdes High School in 2002 before beginning at Costa in 2015. Atkinson moved to Costa to be a part of the program that he grew up with and that his kids would hopefully be involved in, Atkinson said.
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“When I retired, I wanted to give back and help other people travel the same path I did because everything I have in my life I owe to my high school coach, Dave Holland,” Atkinson said. “He was supportive with my running, which led me to go professional, travel, get into college and be able to still maintain having a family.”
Atkinson has spent his life setting numerous local, collegiate and national track records, as well as giving back to his community. In 2012, Atkinson started his own skateboard company called Shaggo. He designed the first skateboard to ever have shag carpet on the surface, which provides cushion and grip when riding. They are sold in eight local surf shops around the South Bay and Southern California.
“I created this company because my kids were enjoying skateboarding a lot and when I was a kid, my friends and I made boards similar to the ones I sell now,” Atkinson said. “It was an opportunity to try something that would involve my kids.”
Atkinson has started multiple annual runs throughout both Hermosa and Manhattan Beach, including the Manhattan Beach 5K, the Yuletide 5K and the Hermosa Beach 5,000.
“Everyone feels compelled to be a part of something larger than themselves and be in the service of others,” Atkinson said. “I find more satisfaction in doing that than in any other achievement that you can possibly have.
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