New York City Marathon pioneer George Spitz dies
NEW YORK -- George Spitz, the running visionary who transformed the New York City marathon, died on Friday from complications of pneumonia. He was 92.
The New York Road Runners (NYRR) aptly called Spitz "The Father of the Five-Borough Marathon." When the 26.2 mile race was founded in 1970 it was confined to Central Park. As marathon fever started to rise, Spitz saw a need to spill the race - and its growing number of participants - into the streets of New York.
According to the NYRR, Spitz suggested changing the 1976 marathon route by having it traverse all five of the city's boroughs. Fred Lebow, the co-founder of the marathon, was reportedly unsure about the idea but eventually bought in. The NYRR organization said it was Spitz, along with Manhattan borough president Percy Sutton, who secured funding to make the marathon's new course a reality.
Decades later the New York City Marathon is known for its size, prestige and its five-borough route. The latter first imagined by Spitz.
The World War II veteran ran more than two dozen marathons over his lifetime, amassing many miles in his hometown of New York. In almost every decade from 1960 on Spitz ran in a different race: political office. He lost each time but still felt inspired to make a run for mayor in 2001, which he ultimately lost.
George Spitz was inducted in the NYRR Hall of Fame in 2014.