David Torrence spent a good part of his 31 years doing what he loved—running. He started running in ninth grade and continued running right up until the last day of his life on August 28. Along the way, he achieved an impressive list of world and national track records, competed in last year’s Olympic Games and inspired his fellow runners.
His memorial service last Saturday, held at the Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue, was filled to capacity with family and friends from all over the country. The memorial began with blessings by Mati Waiya, local Chumash ceremonial leader, stories from dozens of people and touching videos compiled by his sister Sylvie Torrence.
Torrence was a five-time USA Track & Field national champion; he also holds American records in the indoor 1,000-meter event and the outdoor 4×1,500-meter relay. In addition, he holds the world record in the 4×800-meter relay. In 2016, he was an Olympic finalist in the 5,000-meter event.
Because Torrence’s mother is from Peru (Malibu resident and Realtor Bianca Torrence), in his later years he became interested in representing that country in track events. As a result, he holds the Peruvian National Record in the 1,500-meter, one-mile and 5,000-meter events.
Even this year, at the age of 32, Torrence was a qualifier in the London World Championships 1,500-meter event, and in 2017 was ranked No. 9 in the one-mile event by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF). His personal record in running the mile was 3:52:01.
Stepsister Tari Steinrueck said David “believed in himself and his potential,” and “had an insatiable appetite for life that was contagious.” She said his other talents besides running included playing the piano and the national instrument of Peru, the ukulele-like charango.
Torrence first ran track at Loyola High School in LA. His track coach there, Coach Diaz, recruited him from the football team.
“Loyola was never a powerhouse in running until David and others in his class came along,” Diaz said. “He will remain a legacy at Loyola, which to this day remains a nationally ranked program in cross-country; and we owe that to David and his colleagues.”
The next stage in Torrence’s life was attending UC Berkeley, where he was a member of the track team. Five of his former roommates and teammates from there spoke at the memorial service.
“He was known for the speed at which he lived, and how he made you feel included as his friend,” one said. “He ran and talked a thousand miles an hour. He was able to create incredibly close bonds with people that he just met.”
It was at Berkeley that Torrence first ran the mile in less than four minutes—a longtime goal he had set for himself. After graduating, he traveled extensively for competitions and training, and eventually became a member of the Olympic team. “It was a dream come true for him,” Steinrueck said.
His emotional connection to Peru was always strong. David spent several weeks there with relatives as a child, and it made a lasting impression. And, although born American, he grew up with his Peruvian mother, aunts and grandmother, with constant exposure to Peru’s food, music and culture.
“His decision to represent Peru in the Olympics (instead of the U.S.) was not easy for him,” Steinrueck said. “But he wanted to inspire children there to run, and to help train them.”
Torrence himself spoke to the group gathered through a video recording made some time earlier.
“I wasn’t sure how quickly I’d be accepted by Peru,” he said in the video. “But I was the first ever to qualify for [track] events representing Peru, and carried the flag in the closing ceremony.”
Aunt Carmen Koros said the family is descended from the Incas and that David “had that blood in his veins… The Incas had young male runners deliver news from town to town.”
Many former teammates and colleagues tearfully spoke at the memorial.
“His death has reverberated throughout the running community,” one said. “He was a role model with an incredible work ethic.”
Another said, “I wish I would’ve told him how much he really inspired me as a college athlete … He always told me not to listen to people who said I couldn’t do it.” A third said, “He was like a magnet—both impressive and hilarious … and always gave a gutsy performance on the track.”
Editor’s note: A previous version of this story stated Torrence’s age as 32. He was 31 when he died.
