Ted Corbitt is widely respected
as the "Father of Distance Running."

He is largely responsible for the movement to adhere to strict measurement criteria and course certification. Many feel there wouldn't be a sport of distance running if not for Corbitt.

As a runner, he pioneered ultra-marathoning in the United States when most people thought the marathon was the absolute limit of human endurance. Corbitt would run for hours, even days, connected to electrodes to study the effects of running on the human body. He has held American records for 25-, 40- and 50-mile marathons. Corbitt ran 199 marathons and ultra-marathons during his career and he was an American and Canadian marathon champion. He was a member of the 1952 U.S. Olympic marathon team and won the National AAU Championships in the 30K, the marathon and the 50-mile events.

Corbitt is a highly regarded physical therapist. Earning his MS in physical therapy from New York University in 1950. Corbitt worked at the International Center for the Disabled. He eventually worked his way up to Assistant Director of Physical Therapy. Corbitt co-authored one book and contributed to several others. He wrote articles on athletics and physical therapy and eventually taught at Columbia University, New York University and, to a lesser extent, Long Island University, Ithaca College, Downstate Medical Center and Toro College.