George Hirsch to be awarded AIMS Lifetime Achievement Award

George’s lifetime of achievement and contribution to distance running will be recognised on behalf of the AIMS Members, representing more than 370 of the world’s leading and most prestigious races from over 100 countries and territories. The BMR Gala will be presented by the Patron of AIMS, OPAP S.A., the leading gaming operator in Greece.

George will receive the AIMS Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his significant role in the development of the Marathon Movement, particularly in the United States of America.

Born in New York City, George started his career in publishing, working with Time-Life International and as President and Publisher of New York magazine. George’s first involvement with distance running was in 1976 when in collaboration with Race Director Fred Lebow, George helped start the five-borough New York City Marathon in 1976 to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial. In 1979 George founded the Midnight Run in New York’s Central Park, a race that is held on New Year’s Eve every year. George has also worked as a commentator for distance running events around the USA and Olympic Games Marathons in Los Angeles (1984), Seoul (1988) and Barcelona (1992).

In addition to his work as a running executive, George launched The Runner magazine in 1978 which, after being acquired by Rodale Inc., would become Runner’s World, where he would hold the position of worldwide publisher. On a personal level, George has run forty marathons, with a personal best of 2:38 set in the Boston Marathon in 1979 and currently is the Chairman of the Board of the New York Road Runners Club, a position he has held for the past 10 years.

AIMS President Paco Borao comments: “We are delighted to recognise the achievements of George Hirsch and his contribution to the Marathon Movement. George has worked tirelessly throughout his career to persuade so many throughout the United States and beyond to take up the world’s original and most affordable sport. I am very much looking forward to welcoming him to the home of the Marathon, here in Athens, Greece to receive his award on 7 November.”

George Hirsch comments: “I am delighted and honoured to receive this award from AIMS. I have watched with great pride as the Marathon Movement has grown and developed particularly since the 1970’s. I would like to extend my thanks to AIMS for choosing to recognise me in this way. I am very much looking forward to attending the AIMS BMR Gala in Athens Greece in November. The award feels extra special that I will receive the accolade in the shadow of those who created the event 2,500 years on. It is a very humbling experience.”