March 2002 Newsletter

Rest in Peace, Hubert Morgan (1922-2002)

From a recent USATF press release:
"Top U.S. masters runner Hubert Morgan passed away on Sunday, January 27. He was 79. Morgan who lived in Mountain Top, Penn. and would have turned 80 on March 20 set several U.S. road records and still holds four U.S. single age records:

10K - Age 62, 36:41, Brian's Run, PA, 12/2/84
10 Miles - Age 58, 58:12, Cherry Blossom, DC, 3/30/80
10 Miles - Age 63, 1:01:28, Cherry Blossom, DC, 3/31/85
20K - Age 62, 1:16:55, Wyoming Valley Striders, PA, 9/23/84

If you knew Hubert Morgan, you'd never forget him. He was quite a force in masters running in the pre-running boom era and beyond. Thanks to George Gavras, we have a photo of Hubert running the Ithaca 5 & 10 elsewhere in this issue, and a few notes of achievement Hubert gave Jim Hartshorne back in 1968 for the Hartshorne Mile. From those notes:

"Minister; 4:20 in the mile; runner-up in the Pikes Peak Marathon, 1959-60; finished within the top 6 finishers at Pikes Peak for 8 straight years; winner of the D.C. Jr. Championships 10-miler in 1968; 4th in Senior Men's National 2-Miler in 1967."

That was just the beginning. Hubert still holds 4 U.S. single-age records in the 10K, 10 miles and 20K, and is on many all-time lists in different age groups and distances. Hubert was a Seventh Day Adventist minister, and ran across the U.S. to raise money for a new church in the Sayre area. The construction began last year for that church.

At one time, members of our club were thinking about naming the Ithaca 10-miler after Morgan (during his heyday). George Gavras wants us to consider renaming our race in Hubert's honor again. What do you think? George would like to take an informal survey. Please email your response to Diane Sherrer.

Those who want to send a letter or card, write The Morgan Family, 160 Willowbay St., Mountain Top, Pa. 18707-9573.

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