Coogan’s Finish Line - Encore
RIP Peter Walsh
April 18, 2025
NEW YORK - Peter Walsh passed away this afternoon at about 1pm Eastern. I knew him as one of the owners of Coogan’s, the bar, restaurant and extended living room for track fans just a short walk up the street from The Armory. But he was so much more to so many people.
I wrote about him in the introduction of my book BLOOD, SWEAT & SPIKES…
“One of those larger than life personalities you only cross paths with a few times in your life, Peter is the most important figure in American running you’ve never known. A track fan of the first order and a connector of the people. Peter Walsh has led the life of a warrior poet. A true Irish love who never let anyone go hungry. Interviewing him was like trying to capture the wind.”
I found out Coogan’s was closing for good when I was interviewing Dave Johnson, now-retired meet director of The Penn Relays about his having to make the unenviable call to cancel the most historic track meet on the American Continent for the first time in its 126 year tenure.
It took a worldwide health crisis to knock both of these institutions low. Penn would return. Coogan’s would not.
“To explain Coogan’s is to explain friendship. It can only be felt in that warm, deep, dropping into a favorite chair in front of the fire kind of way.” (Blood, Sweat & Spikes)
Dave put me in touch with Peter to talk about his and his partners’ decision to close Coogan’s and how they were doing it. But what Peter gave me was so, so much more. He was a force of nature. A welcoming giant of a personality oozing stories and poetry and joy for his myriad passions.
Here, I’m posting that interview to remember the man who was a friend and supporter of so much and so many.