The term "late bloomer" surely applies to Ed Buckley. Plagued by ill health by the time he was 50; Buckley read an article on the benefits of aerobic training and soon took up recreational running. Four years later, in 1975, with significantly improved health, he began running in age group competition.

The Clinton native was born August 8, 1921. He has consistently excelled in National Masters championships ranging from five-kilometers to 25-kilometers. He has placed first 24 times, second II times, and third five times. In international competition, he has won three gold medals, one silver and one bronze. He helped the USA cross-country team win the World Championship in the 70-79 age group in 1995 in Buffalo.

By 1997, Buckley had competed in 358 road, cross country and track races, posting a record of 172 wins, 59 seconds and 30 thirds.

In 1982, he successfully added cross-country skiing competition to his itinerary. During his racing career, he has compiled 39 wins, 10 seconds and five thirds, including 14 Empire State Games gold medals and one silver. He has also been an outstanding competitor at the national level, earning two firsts, three seconds and a third-place finish in the National Cross-Country Ski Championships. In 1996, he helped the USA 60-69 Team finish second in world competition.

Buckley, a World War II Navy veteran, attended Utica College and Syracuse University. He was employed for 31 years as a civilian employee at the Rome Air Development Center, retiring in 1979. He is an active road race volunteer, serving as a race director, finish line crew chief, or official timer at numerous events, including the Utica Boilermaker Road Race. In addition, he is an official course measurer, which is vital in obtaining national certification for races.

He is a member of the U.S. Ski Racing Association, the New York State Ski Racing Association (Nordic), the Utica Road Runners Club, the Syracuse Chargers Track Club, and was selected to carry the U.S. Olympic Torch on its passage through Utica on June 13, 1996. Buckley was Utica Roadrunner of the Year in 1986 and 1995, and received the Roadrunners' Distinguished Service Award in 1994.

He is a member of the Town of Kirkland Hall of Fame and the Utica Roadrunners Hall of Fame.