FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kenny Moore to Be Honored with George Hirsch Journalism Award
Two-time Olympian and six-time San Francisco Bay to Breakers 15K champion
has significantly contributed to the world of
running through journalism and film
New York, October 24, 2012-For a career that has spanned a quarter of a
century covering athletics for Sports Illustrated, as well as the
authorship of several books on the sport, Kenny Moore has been named the
2012 recipient of the George Hirsch Journalism Award, presented by New York
Road Runners, it was announced today by NYRR president and CEO Mary
Wittenberg.
Moore will be honored at a news conference on Friday, November 2, during
ING New York City Marathon race week. He will receive an award designed by
Tiffany & Co., an official sponsor of the ING New York City Marathon.
The George Hirsch Journalism Award recognizes excellence in the reporting,
writing, and broadcasting of the sport of long-distance running. Any
journalist or broadcaster who has regularly demonstrated excellence in
magazine, newspaper, radio, TV, and website coverage of the sport is
eligible to be honored.
Moore is preceded by 2011 honoree Amby Burfoot, editor-at-large of Runner's
World magazine and author of The Runner's Guide to the Meaning of Life.
Longtime track and field journalist Dick Patrick was the inaugural honoree
in 2010.
The award is named for 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.
"Knowing what George Hirsch has done to serve our sport, this award has
made me humble almost, but not quite, beyond words," said Moore. "It's
hugely gratifying to know my writing has struck readers as useful. In fact,
it's been nothing but a privilege and joy to be able to follow champions
from Abdi Bile to Joan Samuelson home from their triumphs, and make known
the vividness of their character. Looking back, I realize each one has left
me the better, the more faithful, [and] the more exuberant in pursuing all
things good and Olympian."
Moore, 68, began his journalism career with Sports Illustrated while
completing his Masters degree in creative writing at the University of
Oregon. His widely respected journalism career is matched by his
competitive running record: Moore is a two-time Olympian in the marathon
(he finished 14th in the 1968 Mexico City Games and fourth in the 1972
Munich Games), a former holder of the American Record in the marathon, the
1967 National AAU cross country champion, the 1971 National AAU marathon
champion, and a six-time winner of San Francisco's Bay to Breakers 15K road
race.
Moore began his journalism career in 1971 as a contract writer for Sports
Illustrated. He was promoted to senior writer in 1980. After ending his
25-year career with Sports Illustrated, Moore began a two-year project,
co-writing and producing Without Limits, the well-known biographical film
about Steve Prefontaine and Bill Bowerman. A few years later, he began to
work on the first biography of Bowerman, a legendary coach at the
University of Oregon and a co-founder of Nike Inc. In 2006, Moore completed
his book, Bowerman and the Men of Oregon. His contributions have already
earned him induction into the National Distance Running Hall of Fame and
the George Sheehan Award.
"Kenny Moore has devoted his career to showing the world what the most
influential competitors and coaches of all time have done for the sport of
running," Wittenberg said. "His meaningful achievements not only reflect
the special spirit of a distance runner, but also that of George Hirsch. We
are honored to present him with this award for his countless contributions
to our sport."
Moore currently lives in Eugene, OR.
About the ING New York City Marathon
NYRR's premier event, the ING New York City Marathon is the most loved and
most inclusive marathon in the world, attracting elite athletes and
recreational runners alike for the challenge and thrill of a lifetime. The
race has grown tremendously since it began in 1970 with just 127 runners
racing four laps of Central Park. Now, more than 47,000 participants from
all over the globe flock to New York City every November for an
adrenaline-filled road tour of all five boroughs, starting on Staten Island
at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and ending in Central Park.
Some run for prize money or bragging rights, others for charity or their
personal best. All are cheered on by more than two million live spectators
and a TV audience of 330 million.
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