Norwich University

Bill Harding says he came to Norwich to play football. Which he did, for four years, serving as co-captain his senior year. He also played baseball and basketball. Outside of sports, he was involved in a number of activities at Norwich including the Guidon, Junior Weekend Committee, the Newman Club, Skull and Swords, and the War Whoop. A member of the Corps and Honor Tank Platoon, Harding was also president of Theta Chi fraternity. 
After graduating with a degree in Government, Harding became a helicopter pilot in the Army for six years, serving tours in Vietnam and Korea. A Captain and platoon leader, he flew 500 combat hours in Vietnam and earned several service medals. After the Army, Harding went to work for Petroleum Helicopters which took him to such places as Ecuador, New Guinea, and Saudi Arabia. A Connecticut native, Harding moved to Galveston, Texas. HE was one of the first Life Flight pilots for the local hospital A chance meeting during that time got him a job at the University of Texas Medical Branch field house, where he eventually became manager. Harding retired from UTMB in 1999. 
The heart of Harding, though, iis his life as a runner. A local legend in Galveston for his accomplishments and advocacy of the sport, Harding has a running accomplishments too numerous to recount. In 1973, he ran his first marathon at the age of 30, finished the famous Boston course in 3:22. Harding has run in countless races in lengths of 4k to the ultra running challenge of 100 miles. He has run 20 marathons, eight 50 mile races, and four 100 mile ultras. 
A column from the Galveston Daily News from 2002 quotes Harding noting that he didn't get serious about running until he was 50. In 2002, he ran a 10k race next to marathon legend and personal hero, Bill Rodgers. At the age of 65, Harding set the Texas state record for his age group for the 5k. A Senior Olympic competitor, Harding holds four spots in their record books where he is listed in the top ten finishers of all time among his age groups for 5k and 10k races.
In 2001, Runner's Triathlete News Magazine did a feature on Harding, his life and accomplishments as well as his dogs, who frequently travel with him. A fellow runner, Orville Kremmer, says of Harding, "Bill is a model for dedication to the sport and desire to enter into tough but friendly and healthful competition:. 
Since 2004, Harding has been sidelined with a rare neurological condition, though his heart is still ion the road and he is on the path to recovery.