George was born in 1948 in Columbus, Ohio, the oldest of eight children (five brothers and three sisters), where his parents were both Ohio State University students. George’s father was a career US Marine, having served in World War II, and was attending college on the GI Bill. George’s military brat youth included residing in Oceanside, California (near Camp Pendelton), Lansing, Michigan, and Washington, DC. Young George was usually among the youngest and shortest boys in his school classes. He always felt pressure to prove himself. Even though he was not very good, in his opinion, he loved playing basketball and running. A childhood hero was Ethiopian runner Abebe Bakella, a 1960 Olympic Marathon Gold Medalist barefoot runner.
George by his own admission “messed up” and had to attend summer school his senior year in High School to graduate. He was lectured by an Army Seargent Major who drilled in him that “you will succeed” and assisted in obtaining admission at Georgia Military College in Milledgeville, GA. George did in fact succeed academically obtaining University of Georgia degrees in Physical Education, as well as a B.A. degree and Specialist Degree in School Adminsitration.
George spent forty two years as a Georgia school educator, including the last thirty-seven as a middle school assistant principal in Gwinnet County. George describes his career as sucessfully mentoring “kids who acted like he did fifty years ago”. George was effective because he could empathize with troubled students and relate from personal experience. Running after school hours allowed George to “wind down” after stressful situations. Other calming experiences were personally meeting Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Regan, as well as Duncan Renaldo. The latter played the Cisco Kid on early television and in youthful George’s eyes ranked with the two presidents in celebrity status. Evidently the respective Vice Presidents and sidekick Pancho were unavialable.
George and his wife Sandi have been married twenty-eight years and have produced four children and to date four grandchildren. Sandi was a payroll Superviser for Gwinett County Schools, and George met her initially because he enjoyed getting paid. They retired and relocated to quiet Statham to avoid the northern suburban Atlanta area traffic. As active members of the Bethlehem First United Methodist Church, Goerge organized and has served as race director for the Wiseman 5K. The year end holiday season race has become a staple of the running community for five years and counting. Point sluts will recognize George who provides the pre race instructions and gives the start command.
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George describes his running career which began in the 1980s as “average at best”, which is an understatement for a runner who has completed forty plus marathons and over thirty triathlons in fifty states plus numerous Run and See Georgia , Black Bag, and Clover Glove races. The lead photos are from past Atlanta Marathons. His favorite races are the Alcatraz to San Francisco Triathlon and the Liberty Isle, New York Statue of Liberty to the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia Triathlon. Carol and Tim are working to develop races to top this! Two years ago, a knee injury incured while playing basketball coupled with a diagnosed enlarged heart condition has relegated George to competing with Bob Slowpants. George has always enjoyed the “challenge of running every weekend and the encouragement of other runners as well as the wounderful people that I get to interact with on race days”.
Bob checking out from the back of the pack. Watch for the profile on Geri Barrios and profile on George Morse.