George Murray
Achievements
Adaptive Sports Hall of FameGeorge Murray’s illustrious wheelchair racing career is highlighted by first place finishes in the Boston Marathon in 1978 and 1985. George, who started his racing career in 1977, was the first wheelchair athlete to break the five minute mile in 1979 at 4:59.7 and the four minute mile in 1985 at 3:59.4. His many road racing wins include the Invacare Cup Series in 1985 and 1986; the Gasparilla Distance Classic 15K in Tampa from 1978 to 1984 and again in 1986; the Orange Bowl Marathon in Miami in 1979, 1981, 1984 and 1985; the Peachtree 10K in Atlanta in 1979 and from 1982 to 1985; the World Wheelchair Marathon Championship at the Orange Bowl in Miami in 1981; and the National 10K Championship at the Kaiser Roll in Bloomington, Minnesota in 1985.
In 1984, George was the first athlete with a disability to be featured on the Wheaties “Breakfast of Champions” cereal box. One of his accomplishments leading up to the Wheaties honor was crossing the United States by wheelchair, which he and Phil Carpenter completed in 1981. The trip from Los Angeles to the United Nations Building in New York City covered 3,443 miles in 137 days. George then continued his journey to his home in Millinocket, Maine 650 miles further.
George’s contributions to the sport include the Gasparilla Distance Classic Association Board of Directors membership from 1979 to 1992; chairperson of the Long Distance Racing Committee and member of the Board for Wheelchair Sports USA in 1984; president and founder of the International Wheelchair Road Racers Cub in 1983; member of the Florida Spinal Cord injury Council from 1981 to 1983; and founder of Top End in 1986. He has presented more than 100 lectures, workshops and speeches throughout the world and has made many national media appearances.