From the early 1980’s to the mid-1990’s Eugene Dedeaux was a constant presence in the New Orleans road racing community, and a winner at many events. Eugene won the Terry Turner Award in 1983, 1985, 1986, 1987 and 1990. He also won the NOTC Grand Prix Open division in 1989 and 1991.

Eugene posted impressive times in his NOTC career, including a 1:11:52 half-marathon and a 2:39:22 marathon.

From a Footprints article in 1988:

“One of the best distance runners in the New Orleans area, Eugene Dedeaux, four time winner of the NOTC Terry Turner award, was once told by a high school coach that he would never be a runner because he was too short. Ironically, Eugene really has had the last laugh on that short-sighted individual. … Eugene’s record of accomplishments include a 1982 Mardi Gras Marathon Time of 2:36 and a 1987 Crescent City Classic 10K time of 31:52.”

Eugene was known not just for his running accomplishments, but for his support for other runners. When reviewing old copies of Footprints, it is hard to find an issue without a picture of Eugene Dedeaux, wearing his trademark smile.