FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
American Marathon Executive George Hirsch to be Presented With
AIMS Lifetime Achievement Award at Best Marathon Runner Award Gala
The world running organisation the Association of International Marathons
and Distance Races (AIMS) is delighted to announce that American Marathon
Executive and Magazine Publisher George Hirsch will be presented with the
AIMS Lifetime Achievement Award at the second annual AIMS Best Marathon
Runner' (BMR) Award Gala in the home of the Marathon in Athens, Greece on 7
November 2014.
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."
About the AIMS Best Marathon Runner Award Gala
The purpose of the BMR Award Gala is to:
I. Announce and honour the best male and female Marathon runners of the
year through the AIMS BEST MARATHON RUNNER (BMR) Award. The BMR Award
replaces the AIMS World Athlete of the Year Award.
II. Recognise and honour exceptional Marathon figureheads and personalities
for their contribution to the development of the Marathon movement.
III. Publicise and promote the best practice and initiatives of AIMS
members (370+ race organisers) through the establishment of special
environmental and social awards.
IV. Enhance the role, programs and services of AIMS.
The event will be staged in Athens, Greece on Friday 7 November 2014.
About AIMS
The Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS) is a
member based organisation and since being established in 1982 has grown to
a membership of more than 370 of the world's leading distance races, from
over 100 countries and territories. AIMS Members come from every continent
on the planet and include the Athens Marathon, the Authentic formed on the
legend of Pheidippides, the Greek soldier-runner who ran from the town of
Marathon to Athens in 490 BC to announce the Persians had been defeated in
the 'Battle of Marathon'. Other AIMS members include many of the world's
greatest distance races in history such as the Berlin, Boston and Chicago
Marathons.
The three key objectives of AIMS are:
To foster and promote distance running throughout the world
To work with the International Association of Athletic Federations (IAAF)
on all matters relating to international road races.
To exchange information, knowledge and expertise among members of the
association.
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