Leo Ziff: Bates College - XC/Track

Riverdale Review: How long have you been running?

Leo Ziff: Officially, since ninth grade. I did it in middle school, but COVID messed it up. I guess 6 years.

RR: What’s your favorite thing about running?

LZ: I really like to compete, and I think it’s the type of sport that you can really see the work you put in. Day after day you can see the improvement. It’s a sport that builds on itself year over year, and it’s also a lifelong sport, so I’ll be able to run after college until, hopefully, I’m really old. It’s something that provides me with a community in a lot of places and a really good group of friends and people to talk to. It’s a really good team environment since it’s a lot of people focused on doing one thing and focused on supporting each other. There’s nothing really special about running, anyone can run. If you put in the work you can really succeed.

RR: Do you have a favorite memory?

LZ: I could say many things, like when I reached certain milestones. Let’s say I want to go run a 4:20 mile. I’m sure that at that time, after all the years and years of work I’ve put into it, that moment will feel great. Probably recently, it wasn’t anything that special about it, but it was me alone, running on a dirt road in the desert right before sunset. It’s that moment when you’re alone, you’re out there, and you’re completely at peace with the nature around you. You’re completely alone, just looking at the mountains as the sun sets.

RR: Who has been your greatest inspiration or role model?

LZ: I would say, both my coach, but for a pro-runner I really look up to, probably someone like Steve Prefontaine, or more recently, Cole Hocker. Steve Prefontaine because… he was the first American distance runner competing on the world stage and really pushing it forward. And his attitude towards the sport, being really simple and trying really hard. A fan favorite, while also competing and winning.

RR: What are you most looking forward to about running at Bates College?

LZ: I’m most looking forward to having a competitive team where we can compete and win, and be able to hopefully fight for national titles and hopefully improve as much as I can and take it to the next level.