We are grateful for Coach Bendy Viragh, Trinity’s running coach since 2012!

Bendy was born in Hungary. As a refugee during World War II, he and his family migrated to Germany and spent six grim years in a refugee camp. It was at the camp that he began running – initially in a pair of his father’s combat boots. When the family immigrated to the US in 1951, he qualified for the varsity track team at Georgetown University and started running distance races. He also did one of the very few, very early “ultra” races, doing a run from Washington to Baltimore and back (78 miles). He won the 1984 Bangkok Marathon and still competes and wins many races for his age category.

After college, Bendy joined the army and began an extensive military career that took him to Korea and Vietnam. Eventually he became a foreign service officer with responsibilities in West Africa and Asia.

Bendy has been a coach for years and says Trinity students stand out to him because they are motivated, polite and committed to doing well. Recently, during the end-of-season cross country party, a special recognition was bestowed upon him. He was presented the 50th anniversary commemorative pin for service in the Vietnam War by Colonel Kevin Rue, US Army (retired) and father of Patricia Rue, cross country team member. Other parents and faculty on hand to congratulate him included Mrs. Ann Thomas Johnston, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Military Community and Family Policy and mother of Griffin Johnston (cross country team member) Colonel Rick Ridenour, US Army (retired), and Commander Randy Lovdahl, US Navy (retired).