Words of wisdom: “Running the marathon can be one of the most exhilarating experiences in one’s life. Seeing that finish line and knowing that you have trained and reached a goal only few will attain is something that will last a lifetime.”

Not only is Pagliano one of the preeminent podiatrists in the country, he is also a seminal figure in Southern California distance running. Pagliano began running as a freshman at Pasadena (California) High School after being inspired by Roger Bannister’s first sub-four-minute mile in 1954 and has been running ever since. “Running is my passion,” says Pagliano. “I think it’s the greatest sport on Earth.” Pagliano ran at Occidental College (and is a member of that college’s track Hall of Fame) and later followed in his father’s footsteps and became one of the first podiatrists who specialized in treating runners. “At the time,” says Pagliano, “there was no such thing as sports medicine. I would go to races and afterward, try to figure out how to repair all these sports injuries.” A past president of the American Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine, Pagliano’s practice is in Long Beach, California.