Amby Burfoot Honored with George Hirsch Journalism Award

New York, October 18, 2011—For a career that has spanned more than three decades as editor and feature columnist at Runner’s World magazine, as well as numerous books, Amby Burfoot has been named recipient of the George Hirsch Journalism Award, presented by New York Road Runners, it was announced today by NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.

Burfoot will be honored at a news conference during ING New York City Marathon race week on Friday, November 4. A special award created by Tiffany & Co., an official sponsor of the ING New York City Marathon, will be presented at that time.

The George Hirsch Journalism Award recognizes excellence in the reporting, writing, and broadcasting of the sport of the marathon and long-distance running. Any journalist or broadcaster who has regularly demonstrated excellence in the coverage of long-distance running and the marathon through magazine, newspaper, radio, TV, and website coverage is eligible to be honored.

Longtime track and field journalist Dick Patrick was the inaugural honoree in 2010.

The award is named in honor of George Hirsch, the founding publisher and president of The Runner magazine from 1978 to 1986 and the worldwide publisher of Runner’s World from 1987 to 2003. Today Hirsch is the chairman of the board of directors of New York Road Runners.

“George Hirsch has been one of the two most instrumental mentors in my life, and the most important publisher in the history of running,” said Burfoot. “It’s an incredible honor to receive a journalism award that bears his name.”

Burfoot, 65, joined Runner’s World in 1978 after a successful running career highlighted by his 1968 Boston Marathon victory while still a student at Wesleyan University. Burfoot’s winning time was 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 17 seconds in the last Boston Marathon not run on a Monday. Later that year he ran 2:14:29, his lifetime best, to finish fifth in the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan.

Burfoot has held a variety of positions at Runner’s World, including executive editor from 1985 to 2004. He currently serves as editor at large.

In his years at Runner’s World, Burfoot has won journalism awards from many of the sport’s leading organizations, including the Road Runners Club of America, the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, and Running USA. His running achievements have gained him induction into the RRCA Hall of Fame and the National Distance Running Hall of Fame.

“Amby has become the voice of our sport. He has a very special perspective and covers the sport from all angles like few others can—from the pro spectacle to the health benefits of running,” said Wittenberg. “He has done it all—from winning Boston, to running recreationally, to winning awards for his writing. He is richly deserving of this award and of our thanks for his efforts in promoting our sport these many years.”

Burfoot lives in Emmaus, PA, with his wife, Cristina Negron. He has two adult children, Daniel and Laura.