A true founder of NYRR is Harry Murphy who was there at the beginning. In the club’s first year 1958, the AAU made things difficult for the newly formed club. Prompting a pivotal meeting where a vote to continue or disband took place. Harry was part of this vote and served on the club’s first executive committee as treasurer.
I remember Harry most as the person who invited my father, Ted Corbitt, to join the New York Pioneer Club in 1947. Years later, when my father proposed turning the New York Marathon into a five-borough race, he first asked Harry to recommend the route.
I’m always heartened by the love and respect Harry’s former athletes still have for him. Here are three examples:
In January 1993 we lost our coach, mentor, and friend. In his quiet, always encouraging way, Harry launched many running careers. He single-handedly turned couch potatoes into sub-4-hour marathoners. He started running as a freshman at Erasmus High School and continued to run into his seventies, completing 42 Yonkers Marathon.
As a coach he would meet any eager runner; any time, any place for a workout. His favorite coaches’ adage was “make your own way.” If you had a bad day, it was “money in the bank.” Harry co-founded the Prospect Park Track Club in 1970 with Jack Stetch and Bob Muller.
Regina Cahill – Prospect Park Track Club Past President
Because of the work ethic, determination, and resilience he instilled into my character, I went from chasing my dogs on the grass fields of Prospect Park to becoming a multiple NYC Borough, City, State, and National high school champion, a full-scholarship athlete at Villanova University, and ultimately, a World Championship competitor. My fondest, most sacred memories remain the quiet moments after grueling sessions, sitting together on a park bench, freezing and exhausted, sipping hot minestrone soup he would buy from the deli across the road while he taught me about life and how to be a student of our sport. Every single day as a teacher and coach, whether leading a high school program or standing on the world stage as the Head Relay Coach of the National U20 program and the Head of the Australian Senior Women’s Relay Team, I am simply a reflection of Harry’s profound belief in me. He paved the way for my education, my career, and my purpose, and I am humbled each day to be able to pass the incredible light of resilience and open mindedness he gave me onto the next generation of athletes.
Thank you for believing in me, Harry. Your light runs on in everyone I guide. Rest in eternal peace.
Cathalina Staye-Walsh – Athletic Development Program Coordinator – Sydney, Australia
I think the history books should simply say: That, in Prospect Park, there is not just a plaque or a bench in honor of Harry but a whole wall! That is how much Harry means to New York running. He always had time for you no matter how fast you were. I doubt that I would have qualified for Boston in 1978 if it weren’t for Harry’s coaching and encouragement.
This past June I celebrated my 50th year as member of Prospect Park Track Club and I am, happy to say, still running. There is no question in my mind that I would not be here today running if Harry hadn’t been there for me those many years ago. He was a kind and beautiful person – one of the nicest people I have ever known.
Pete Canning – Prospect Park Track Club
Ted Corbitt said the following:
“Harry Murphy was a long distance runner who served in the US Army during World War 11and who worked for the Post Office. Harry ran for several different running clubs. He helped to found the NY Road Runners Club and helped it survive with much volunteer work in its early years. He made the first rough survey of the distance from the toll booth at the Verrazano Bridge to Columbus Circle and to the United Nations confirming that a marathon distance was possible to those sites.
Aldo Scandurra in a 1978 letter schooling Fred Lebow on running history said the following:
“It was Harry Murphy that brought about water and refreshment stations in competition. He taught me and I made it a rule.”
Charley Robbins Scrapbook cites September 12, 1948, as Harry Murphy Day. It was National AAU Marathon Championship held in Queens, New York.
Here’s Harry’s Results:
3rd Place National AAU Championship
1st Place Met AAU Championship
1st Queens Resident
2nd National AAU Team – NYPC
2nd Met AAU Team – NYPC
Top 4 Finishers:
John A. Kelley – 2:48:32
Charles Robbins – 2:59:19
Harry Murphy – 3:01:05
Gerard Cote – 3:03:58
Road Runner Club: New York Association legends Harry Murphy and Kurt Steiner died weeks apart in January and February 1993 respectively.
Musing on Harry by Regina Cahill, PPTC Past President with 49 years of membership.
Doug O’ Brien Remembers Harry Murphy.
Gary Corbitt
Archivist: Theodore Corbitt Institute
Follow other History Timeline Profiles Here:
September 24, 2026
Notes:
Ted Corbitt Archives
Aldo Scandurra 1978 Letter to Fred Lebow
Charley Robbins Scrapbook
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