David Shafer was a three-time state cross-country champion with Middletown High School and later served as captain of the Marshall University Southern Conference cross-country championship team. He was the first Marylander to win the Maryland Marathon; placed 53rd of 7,600 at the Boston Marathon; was a 1984 Olympic Trials finalist, running 2:17.0; and was a member of the Adidas racing team. He was selected the 1984 Frederick Jaycees Outstanding Marylander. A gifted teacher, devoted family man, and leader within his church, Shafer is considered this county’s finest all-around distance runner.