Catch Me If You Can: Revolutionizing My Sport, Breaking World Records, and Creating a Legacy for Tanzania

“Filbert inspires us all to achieve excellence and impact.”–Edwin Moses, 1976 and 1984 Olympic gold medalist

Nearly half a century ago, Filbert Bayi revolutionized how middle-distance races were run. During that heyday of athletics competition before pacemakers were hired to take the lead, the unheralded Tanzanian served as his own “rabbit.” The innovative Bayi set a blistering pace that dared formidable challengers from around the globe to, as his autobiography suggests, Catch Me If You Can.

After an inspiring career that included two world records and an Olympic medal, Bayi took the same assertive approach into post-racing life as an educator, entrepreneur, and sports administrator. Today, he still embodies excellence in a school and foundation that bear his name as he strives to improve his country and community.

In telling his long-awaited story, Bayi recounts hardships, including his mother’s encounter with hyenas while he was still in the womb, bouts of malaria, and an Olympic boycott, as well as enduring friendships with John Walker and other great rivals. Over nearly 70 years, his experiences consistently reflect the three values he treasures most—sacrifice, commitment, and confidence—resulting in an unforgettable example for anyone, anywhere to follow.

“A book that will be enjoyed by any running or track fan who appreciates how the back story contributes to the gold medal.”–Amby Burfoot, 1968 Boston Marathon winner, author of “Run Forever”
 

Filbert Bayi’s legacy in middle-distance running is assured as his blistering pace energized the sport in the 1970s, leading to his becoming the first Black man to hold the mile and 1500m world records. He earned the first Olympic medal ever for Tanzania with his silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1980 Olympics. With his wife Anna, he established Filbert Bayi Schools and the Filbert Bayi Foundation in Kibaha, Tanzania, which for more than twenty years has represented excellence by educating thousands of students and creating an even larger legacy off the track.

Myles Schrag is co-founder of Soulstice Publishing and author of eight books. He holds a master’s degree in kinesiology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has helped more than 200 books reach publication as either an acquisitions editor, developmental editor, publisher, or manuscript broker.

Foreword writer Segun Odegbami is a former Nigerian football (soccer) star who is a well-known commentator on sports, politics, and media across Africa. Nicknamed "Mathematical" for his precise passing for 14 years in the Nigerian professional league as well as for his engineering degree, Odegbami helped his country to its first Africa Cup of Nations title. He is head of the Sports Diplomacy Desk for the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA) and host of the Sports Parliament television show.