Originally, I was going to dedicate this entire project to Art Hall, but instead it will be a tribute to all first-generation Road Runner Club: New York Association members who helped invent the sport between 1958 – 1972. The sport and New York Road Runners today stand on the shoulders of the collective volunteer work of these athletes and officials.
In 1964 Art was the new kid on the New York road running scene having just graduated from Hughes High School. I saw him race often in high school and witnessed his first significant road race in 1964 at the Senior National 25K Championship held at the World’s Fair in New York. It was an extremely hot day. I was age 13. All the top runners and teams on the east coast and middle Atlantic regions were present. Art was the 4th man on the New York Pioneer Club team that was comprised of three Olympians (Ted Corbitt 7th, Gordon McKenzie 10th, Abe Fornes 14th; Art Hall and Al Williams were 30th & 33rdrespectively). Art was the difference maker in helping the NYPC to a second-place team finish behind Gaelic Athletic Club and ahead of Boston Athletic Association.
Art was a true Running Ambassador always giving back to the sport as a role model athlete, mentor, and coach. He was a champion front runner often pushing the pace, founder of Staten Island’s North Shore Track Club, served on the NYRR Board of Directors, and co-created the Urban Running Program, a groundbreaking youth fitness program that started in the 1980s. Art made this statement at age 37: “I like to instill in youngsters a deep abiding belief in themselves and a commitment to a sound mind and health body.”
These three quotes epitomize the spirit of Art Hall.
“We felt a bond from these races much like two boxers who give it their all and respected each other for it. Art loved running and the running world.”
—Dr. Norb Sander, NYRR board of directors’ member and executive director, The Armory Foundation
“Art Hall was my first coach who was also a great teacher and friend. Aside from his unbelievable running, he was the most inclusive, encouraging friendly runner I knew. Art always had time for you, whether you looked to run 5 hours or sub 3 hours for the marathon! His constant encouragement made everyone feel special. One of his concepts, the Urban Running Program, has influenced thousands of kids throughout NYC over 30 years.”
—Jeff Benjamin, former president, Staten Island Athletic Club (1989-1996)
“As a young man on Staten Island in the 1970s, Art Hall was my idol. The trim black man who wore sweats during all of his runs seemed to be all over the Staten Island doing his training. His best attribute was his ability to motivate and tell stories. He would describe a 5K race in 30 minutes and explain how and why he ran the way he did. Young athletes like me would sit there and listen to every word.
“The first time I beat Art in a race was Thanksgiving in 1978. It was an awakening that I was developing into a runner that Art and I would be proud of.
—Bob Orazem, North Shore Track Club
Here’s a fine article “We All Loved Art” by Gail Kislevitz.